House Armed Services Vice Chair Anthony Brown: "On His Way Out Of Office, President Trump Has Made Yet Another Decision That Makes Our Country Less Safe"

Press Release

House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a 30-year Army veteran, released the following statement on President Trump's veto of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act:

"On his way out of office, President Trump has made yet another decision that makes our country less safe. In vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act to preserve the names of Confederate traitors on our military installations, the outgoing president is holding up raises for our brave servicemembers, construction projects that will improve the lives of military families, programs critical to our national security and funds to ensure our military remains the greatest fighting force in the world.

"This is not new behavior from President Trump, nor is it shocking. His tenure in office has always been focused on what he believes is best for his own personal gain and never what's best for the American people. President Trump tied his veto to defending the brutal acts of the Confederacy, the legacy of slavery and his belief that this country should still honor men who betrayed their country to defend white supremacy. This divisive racial dog whistling has been a hallmark of his presidency. But those are not the values our country or our military upholds.

"Myself and Senator Warren championed a provision to redesignate Department of Defense property that honors Confederate leaders. We defied President Trump's threats and passed an NDAA that included our provision with overwhelming, veto-proof majorities. We'll do the same again and deliver for our troops. Our security and values are more important than President Trump clinging to the vestiges of this country's darkest chapter."

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