Defense and National Security
National defense is a key function of the Federal government. While we must always strive to protect our citizens, we must be careful that our protection does not infringe on our civil liberties. The PATRIOT Act and similar legislation, while well-intentioned, need strong reforms to ensure that privacy and liberty are protected. Recent events have proven the need for strong reforms at the NSA and other agencies. As such, I am a proud cosponsor of of the LIBERT-E Act and the NSA Inspector General Act. The LIBERT-E Act eliminates the authority the NSA uses to broadly collect citizen's data and the NSA Inspector General Act brings accountability to the agency. I am a proponent of a stong national defense, but our nation is only as strong as our bedrock--the Constitution. I believe our Founders knew that national security and liberty can go hand-in-hand. We must always work towards a Federal government that achieves that balance.
More on Defense and National Security
The President plans to issue an Executive Order on immigration today. One needs to ask, what are the President’s motives for moving quickly on this before the new group of legislators—that America elected—take office? The President should honor the will of the people, wait until the new Congress and work with us just as the Constitution intended.
Washington, DC- Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-03) voted in favor of border strengthening legislation as well as a bill to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Both bills were redrafted and strengthened after House Conservatives expressed concern over loopholes in the original language. Congressman Yoho is a cosponsor of Congresswoman Blackburn’s DACA legislation in an effort to stop the President’s administrative amnesty. Congressman Yoho gave the following statement after his vote.
The Central Intelligence Agency has, for years, been engaged in a secret drone war, carrying out operations in the Middle East to hunt down terrorist leaders. While it’s understandable that some measure of secrecy is needed to carry out its duties, for far too long Congress has been unable to perform any meaningful oversight of the Agency’s activities.
Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) is trying to change that.
Washington, DC - Today Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) introduced H.R. 5091 – the Drone Reform Act (DRA), a bipartisan bill that will consolidate all authority to use armed drones within the Department of Defense (DOD). This legislation shifts all authority to DOD, which will lead to greater transparency in the budget and appropriations process by moving away from the heavily secretive intelligence budget. This will reveal to the American people where funds and program resources are being spent.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) voted in favor of H.R. 4870 - Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act, 2015. This bill funds the DOD for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. Within this bill, Congressman Yoho – along with Rep. Conyers (D-MI) – inserted an amendment that would prevent the US from providing any Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) to rebels fighting in Syria.
Washington D.C. – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) voted no on H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015.
The Congressman released the following statement after his vote:
Washington D.C. – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) gave the following statement after final passage of the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act:
“It is my duty as a Member of Congress to give our military personnel the tools they need to complete the mission they are given and defend our nation. Republicans and Democrats came together today and passed an authorization bill that will provide the resources our military needs.
Washington D.C. - Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) tonight voted in favor of funding the benefits programs of all veterans in the state of Florida and across the country. His yes vote for the bi-partisan H.R. 4486 - the Fiscal Year 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill - will also allocate funds to train and equip our military, provide housing and services to military personnel and their families, and help maintain base infrastructure.
Washington DC- Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL03) has written a letter to Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and Ranking Member David Price (D-NC) of the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security asking them to ensure that no funding for FY2015 be made available for warrantless drone surveillance of U.S. citizens on U.S. territory.
This week, Congressman Yoho voted in favor of the FY 14 Consolidated Approprations Act.