CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY STATEMENT ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

Washington, DC -- Congressman Joe Kennedy III released the following statement  after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act, which included a $5.1 billion request for the fight against ISIL in Syria and Iraq.
 
“Almost three months after the U.S. launched its first airstrike against ISIL, Congress has still failed to clearly debate, define or authorize our mission in the region.  While I support much of the spending outlined in today’s defense authorization bill, I cannot support piecemeal efforts to escalate an open-ended military engagement that sorely lacks parameters, goals and exit plans. I am encouraged so far by the international coalition and the gains we have made in deterring the grave threat posed by ISIL, but our ultimate success will be guided by the thorough deliberations that define our mission. We cannot ask our men and women in uniform and their families to shoulder a conflict their elected officials aren’t willing to take a vote on.  I continue to call on Congressional leadership to bring a comprehensive authorization of military force against ISIL to the floor.”
 
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For Immediate Release:
December 4, 2014
 
Contact:
Emily Kaufman (617) 332-3333
Dan Black (202) 225-5931

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