Frankel Statement on Vote Against the Defense Bill

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) issued the following statement today after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“While the NDAA has many important provisions that I support, I cannot in good conscience vote for this bill because of the failure of Congress to take up and debate the authority of the President to conduct a war in Iraq and Syria,” said Frankel. “It is a disgrace that we are sending our children into harms way and spending billions of dollars without having a debate about whether and to what extent we should be involved in this war.”

Every year, Congress must pass a defense bill, the NDAA, to fund all military-related activities. The 2015 NDAA allows $513.4 billion in funding for Department of Defense. Among its many parts, the NDAA gives President Obama the authority to expand U.S. military operations against the terrorist group ISIL in Iraq and Syria. It also provides continued funding to train and equip Syrian rebels, which would otherwise expire on December 11.

In September, Frankel voted against training these Syrian rebels because the legislation did not allow for a debate on the full scale and scope of U.S. involvement in Iraq and Syria. Congress still has not held that debate.

Since August, the U.S. has conducted more than 1,700 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. The Administration is carrying out these activities under congressionally approved authority as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001. The President has indicated that the campaign to combat ISIL will take years and has said there are situations that could require the deployment of U.S. ground forces. Frankel believes Congress has an obligation to debate a new authorization in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

###