National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Today I voted against the National Defense Authorization Act because I agree with President Obama that the cumulative effects of the bill would impede the ability of the Administration to execute the new defense strategy and to properly direct scarce resources. The bill authorizes $642.7 billion for defense programs in FY 2013 -- $3.6 billion more than the request and $8 billion more than the cap for defense set by last year's Budget Control Act. Also, we need to cut defense instead of cutting important social programs such as SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid and women's health programs. President Obama said he would veto the measure should it reach his desk.

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