DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FAILS TO MEET COMMITMENTS, INCLUDES MASSIVE LANDS DEAL

Dec 4, 2014

Washington, DC (Dec. 4, 2014) Congressman Steve Pearce released this statement following the vote on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (NDAA):

“Voting against the NDAA today was a difficult decision for me,” said Congressman Steve Pearce.  “As a Vietnam veteran, I always look to support the military and their families. However, the NDAA does not fully meet the needs of our troops and grossly expands the federal footprint in the West.” 

“As well as being a veteran, I am the co-chair of the Congressional Western Caucus. In this capacity I have a responsibility to protect and fight for the West.  Included within this NDAA is a massive lands package, added at the last minute of negotiations.  Creating nearly 250,000 new acres of wilderness that will greatly restrict multiple use on the lands, is simply unacceptable.  Already extremely disadvantaged by massive amounts of public lands, the West continues to be under attack by environmental and special interest groups that degrade the Western way of life.  In the past year, New Mexico has seen this first hand with the President designating a nearly 500,000-acre monument, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. While the bill does include a small allocation for local governments through a payment system called Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILT), this does little to offset the dramatic damages this package will have to access and ranching in the West.”

“While this legislation includes many important provisions for our troops, it does not live up to its commitments.  The bill includes a reduced pay increase from what has previously been legally mandated, it reduces the housing allowance for all levels of the military, and it will increase prescription co-pays in the short term.  Our soldiers deserve consistency and certainty, and this does not provide it.”  

“I am disappointed with how this process was carried out.  Our military deserves better.  As a Congress, we should be committed to providing our troops with the support they need and deserve, free of political maneuvers and adages.”