Schakowsky Statement on Voting Against Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2024
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement after voting against final passage of H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024:
“Today, I once again voted against the passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill authorizes a staggering $886 billion in new spending for the Department of Defense. Our greatest security threats have no military solutions, and it is time our budget reflected that.
“The legislation also includes an extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through April 19, 2024. This section has repeatedly been abused in ways that violate Americans’ fundamental rights. Further, Section 702 has been used across administrations to conduct millions of invasive searches for Americans’ communications, including those of protesters, activists, campaign donors, journalists, and even members of Congress.
“In addition, this bill failed to include key provisions repealing the 2002 Iraq Authorization for Use of Military Force, it increased funding for nuclear weapons that the Biden administration has explicitly rejected, and it failed to prohibit further US involvement in the Saudi-led coalition’s war on Yemen.
“This legislation does not reflect the best interests of our nation at this moment. Instead of giving the Pentagon nearly a trillion dollars, we should make the investments in health care, education, housing, diplomacy, public transit, and the environment that Americans deserve.
“While there are some provisions in the bill that I support, like a 5.2% pay raise for both military servicemembers and the Defense Department’s civilian workforce and increased housing and health care support for our military personnel, I could not, in good faith, support final passage of the FY 2024 NDAA.
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