Kaine Statement On Defense Bills

Press Release

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, applauded Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today, which includes amendments he introduced condemning sequestration cuts and strengthening credentialing programs, as well as a number of other provisions that benefit Virginia's shipbuilding industry and defense community. Following passage of NDAA, Kaine voted against a motion to begin debate on the Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Appropriations Bill in hopes of reaching a larger budget deal that provides sequestration relief for both defense and non-defense priorities.

"I'm very pleased with the bipartisan effort that went into this year's defense authorization bill. From protecting our shipbuilding and repair industry to modernizing facilities at vital military installations across Virginia, we were able to work together to ensure those who work tirelessly on behalf of our nation's defense receive the support they deserve and that critical national security measures are implemented. I was also pleased that through the defense appropriations bill we were able to protect much of the funding that others on the Armed Services Committee sought to cut, potentially putting civilian workers from Virginia at risk and threatening many programs our servicemembers rely on throughout their career and into retirement.

"I am particularly pleased that today 49 of 54 Republican Senators supported legislation containing the Kaine-King amendment (Sec. 1004) to fix the sequester that imposes harsh and arbitrary budget caps on both defense and non-defense priorities. The sequester caps make us less safe and hurt our economy. Together with the unified Democratic caucus, we now have a unique moment with 95 Senators having supported or voted for legislation that makes clear sequester must be fixed.

"Since there is near unanimity in the Senate that the budget caps must be fixed, we should not vote for appropriations bills that are drawn to the outdated budget figures. For this reason, I will oppose all 12 regular appropriations bills, including the defense bill considered today, until we sit down in a budget summit and find an appropriate resolution."

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