Hoeven: Senate Passes Key Vote on National Defense Legislation

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven today spoke on the Senate floor to urge strong bipartisan support for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate passed the final version of the bill later in the day by 70 to 27. The House approved the bill last week. The legislation now goes to President Obama, who has threatened to veto it.

"Today's vote approves the National Defense Authorization Act, but we still have work to do," Hoeven said. "The president has threatened to veto the bill, which means Congress will need to hold enough votes to override his veto. We may also need to overcome a possible attempt to block passage of the Defense Appropriations bill, the companion bill to this one, which provides the actual funding for our military and makes sure they have the tools they need to defend our country."

"The Defense Authorization bill passed with strong bipartisan support," Hoeven said "We need to work this bill and others, including appropriations bills, through regular order. That means moving legislation to the floor for debate, discussion, possible amendments and a vote. That's the way Congress functioned in the past, and that's the way to get things done for the American people."

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