Lujan Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico's Third District released the following statement today after voting in support of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a number of priorities for New Mexico.

"While I do not support everything in this bill, it does include important provisions that are key priorities for communities across New Mexico, including critical funding for environmental cleanup at Los Alamos National Laboratory. As we work to restore operations at WIPP, we must ensure that our national laboratories have the resources to meet their legal obligations for environmental remediation. We also have a moral obligation to the communities that have contributed to our national security to ensure that this waste is cleaned up in a safe and timely manner.

"NDAA also includes a number of lands bills -- designating the Columbine-Hondo area as wilderness and transferring management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve -- that will have a positive impact on New Mexico's economy while protecting our majestic lands and encouraging public access to our great outdoors. In addition, this bill includes legislation establishing a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that includes a site in Los Alamos and helps preserve this story so that future generations can understand both the positive and negative impacts of the project. In addition, it will recognize all those who played a key role in the national security of our nation and see that they will not be forgotten.

"Finally, I continue to have serious concerns with the current plan to equip and train Syrian rebels, and believe that an issue of this importance deserved a separate debate and vote."

Source