Boozman: Unacceptable To Use U.S. Troops To Pass Controversial Legislation

Press Release

Boozman: Unacceptable To Use U.S. Troops To Pass Controversial Legislation

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today issued the following statement in opposition to the Majority leaders' attachment of the hate crimes bill to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010:

"The attachment of the hate crimes bill to the National Defense Authorization Act is something I strongly oppose. The National Defense Authorization Act's purpose is to provide our troops with the resources they need to accomplish their missions and ensure we have a strong national defense.

Instead, this bill that traditionally has bipartisan support, has turned into a vehicle to advance a social cause. A defense bill is not the appropriate vehicle for anything other than the essential tools to help our armed forces. However, Speaker Pelosi is using our troops to pass controversial legislation. This is setting a dangerous precedent and it is an unacceptable and blatant disregard for the safety of our armed forces and our national security.

The Hate Crimes provision is extremely subjective and may criminalize a person's thoughts or motivations, rather than their actions. While I firmly believe that all crimes should be investigated thoroughly and equally, I also believe special rights and protections should not be granted to any person based on age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation."

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