Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Joins Bipartisan Call for Debate on Troubling Syria Provisions Buried in Defense Authorization Bill
‘Train and equip’ authority would be extended for two years without serious Congressional debate or standalone vote
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) has joined a group of bipartisan colleagues to call attention to significant policy provisions that were inserted into the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA) without a vote or serious debate. The annual defense bill will come to the House floor for approval today, and includes a two-year extension of the authority to equip and train so-called moderate Syrian rebels.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to include an open-ended policy of arming and training so-called ‘moderate’ Syrian rebels in the NDAA without any serious public debate or a standalone vote,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a twice-deployed veteran who has repeatedly criticized the strategy to arm Syrian rebels. “Giving weapons and training to these rebels whose stated purpose is to overthrow President Assad will have lengthy and costly consequences because it continues the broken policy of overthrowing regimes and nation-building that has cost so many precious lives and our nation’s treasure, drawing us into another country’s civil war. I voted against this provision on September 17, when the Administration promised Congress would be able to reassess this strategy in December 2014. To the contrary, Congress has had no opportunity to discuss, debate, or vote on this standalone question. There is no reason to bury this issue in a major must-pass annual defense bill that includes critical provisions for our military’s readiness and our troops’ well-being. We must have a standalone vote so the American people’s voice can be heard.
“Congress cannot continue to offer tacit support for a strategy that does not support achieving our mission of destroying ISIL and the Islamic extremists who seek to harm us. By continuing to funnel weapons to rebels in Syria, whose vetting and loyalties are questionable and untested, we face the likely outcome of our weapons falling into the hands of our enemies yet again, to be used against Americans and innocent civilians.”
Congresswoman Gabbard joined a bipartisan letter led by Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to Speaker John Boehner reiterating these concerns about the Syria train and equip provisions inserted into the NDAA agreement.
Full text of the bipartisan letter is available below:
December 3, 2014
Speaker John Boehner
Office of the Speaker
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker:
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) currently scheduled to come to the floor tomorrow contains many major policy decisions affecting our country and our armed forces. We believe the Congress should have an opportunity to debate and consider amendments on questions of significant magnitude.
Specifically, the NDAA coming before the House provides a two-year authorization to deploy American troops to train and equip the so-called moderate Syrian rebels. The Congress should have the chance to hold a separate vote on that provision. In September, a majority in Congress voted to temporarily authorize preparation for such a mission for a short period ending December 11th. The temporary authorization included robust provisions for Congressional oversight and mandated reporting requirements. No new funding was authorized at that time. The Administration has requested $500 million as part of this new authorization. This NDAA provision is written so that – with the sole consent of the four defense committees – the amount could well exceed the requested $500 million. Additionally, the movement of American forces on the ground in other countries of the region is a very consequential decision. A matter of that importance should not be tucked into a huge NDAA bill and shielded from a separate vote.
Given the importance of this decision to use American troops to train and equip so-called moderate Syrian rebels in places like Saudi Arabia, Congress has a duty to debate and vote separately on this question. We must not abdicate our responsibility to the American people and the men and women who serve in our military.
Sincerely,
###
VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Votes Against Committing U.S. To War in Syria
‘Train and equip’ provision buried in the bill, no opportunity for debate or standalone vote
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today voted against the House-Senate compromise for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 (NDAA), citing serious concerns about the inclusion of a provision to train and equip so-called moderate Syrian rebels for the next two years and the lack of a vote or debate on that provision.
Yesterday, Congresswoman Gabbard joined a bipartisan amendment to remove this provision before the NDAA came to a vote on the House floor, and also joined a bipartisan letter to Speaker John Boehner calling for debate and a standalone vote on the provision.
“Our troops, our country, and our communities deserve far better than the defense bill that passed today. The hidden provision in the amended HR 3979 to authorize training and arming of the so-called moderate Syrian rebels for the next two years, with no limits on how much money can be spent, has seriously polluted this critical legislation. I could not in good conscience vote to support so-called moderate forces who often work hand-in-hand with al-Qaida and ISIS, and whose personnel and weapons often end up in the hands of those terrorists. Just a few days ago, the Associated Press reported, 'Notably, in the south, the rebels are working together with fighters from al-Qaida's Syria branch.'"
"Furthermore, this bill continues the same failed policies of undeclared war, regime change, and nation building that have had us mired in the Middle East for over a decade. Because there was no standalone vote or debate allowed on this important provision, the American people have been deprived of their right to make a decision about whether or not we are going to war against Syria,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a twice-deployed combat veteran and current captain in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard.
Congresswoman Gabbard spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives today to again highlight her concerns. Video of the speech is available here.
In September 2014, Congresswoman Gabbard voted against an amendment to a funding bill that allowed for the training and equipping of Syrian rebels and later voted against the underlying funding bill that included the amendment.
###
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Sponsors Bipartisan Proposal to Directly Arm Kurdish Peshmerga Forces
Temporary authority would be given to the President to assist a trusted partner
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today sponsored bipartisan legislation, H.R.5747, to give the President temporary authority to directly arm the Kurdish Peshmerga in the fight against ISIL and other Islamic extremists. Currently, U.S. military aid is being dispersed solely through the Iraqi central government, which so far, has not supplied the Kurds with the equipment they need.
“The Kurdish Peshmerga are courageously fighting to destroy ISIL. They are the primary offensive force fighting against ISIL on the ground, and are doing so with inadequate weapons and resources. We should be doing everything we can to get them the heavy weapons and equipment they need to support their fight to eliminate our common enemy,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a Military Police Captain in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard and an Iraq War veteran. “This bipartisan legislation will help level the playing field for this fighting force, which is vastly outgunned and mostly using outdated light weapons. Systemic changes need to occur within the structure of the Iraqi government, but we cannot wait; we must stop routing these weapons through a still dysfunctional Shiite-led central Iraqi government, which has thus far withheld necessary support to the Peshmerga, and provide equipment and heavy weapons directly to the Kurds. Their needs are urgent. We cannot waste any more time, as ISIL continues to grow, increasing the threat to the United States and our partners.”
Congresswoman Gabbard has consistently and strongly supported the arming of the Kurdish Peshmerga with heavy weapons and armored vehicles, and met yesterday with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Foreign Minister Falah Mustafa, and Dr. Fuad Hussein, President Barzani’s Chief of Staff, expressing her full support and commitment to increasing direct U.S. military aid to the KRG.
Led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), the legislation:
- Establishes as the policy of the United States to provide direct assistance to the Kurdistan Regional Government to combat ISIL;
- Identifies Iraqi Kurds as a reliable and stable partner of the United States;
- Recognizes that the Peshmerga are the official security force of the Kurdistan Regional Government, organized in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution;
- Emphasizes that ISIL is a significant terrorist threat which may employ more than 4,000 captured heavy weapons, 1,500 armored vehicles, and 50 long-range artillery pieces;
- Maintains existing Congressional oversight of significant arms transfers; and
- Sunsets after three years, in recognition of the emergency nature of this authority.
###
VIDEO: Gabbard-Backed Bill to Reauthorize Housing Assistance for Native Hawaiians Passes House Unanimously
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today praised unanimous passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4329). The bill, also called NAHASDA, seeks to empower Native communities by assisting low-income families with affordable housing.
“Over 1,400 low-income families in Hawai‘i have benefited from these services and, in many cases, homeownership would not have been possible given the $640,000 median price of a single-family home on the island of Oahu,” Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said in a speech to the House of Representatives today. “One quick example of [NAHASDA’s impact is] the Nakihei family on the island of Moloka‘i. Brent and Amber Nakihei could not have afforded to remain in the neighborhood where Brent grew up. But they partnered with Moloka‘i Habitat for Humanity and Hawaiian Homes to build a new three-bedroom, one-bath house in 2007. They invested 700 hours of work towards construction of that house, and their four children will now learn the responsibilities of homeownership from a young age and have a safe home to grow up in.
“Nationwide, passage of this legislation also would represent an important step toward removing roadblocks to economic success in Native communities, and would reaffirm the House’s long-standing commitment to tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
NAHASDA-supported activities include home construction, roads, sewers, street lighting, and utilities; direct loans to income-eligible families; subsidies for home rehabilitation; home repair training; financial counseling; and support for non-profits who provide self-help home construction. The Department of Hawaiian Homelands uses the NAHASDA funds to manage a trust established by Congress to support Native Hawaiians through homesteading.
###
Reps. Tulsi Gabbard, Aaron Schock Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize #GivingTuesday, a National Day of Giving and Volunteerism
Members of Congress Unite Across the Aisle to Gather Support and Create Message of Giving
Washington, DC – U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI-2) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) today introduced H.Res. 761 to recognize #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday, the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, kicks off the holiday giving season with a global day dedicated to charitable giving and volunteerism, to follow the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The #GivingTuesday resolution, recognizes that philanthropy and charitable giving knows no party divide, as giving has the ability to transcend any differences of political ideologies and has the power to unite people across boundaries.
“There are too many things that cause divisions within our communities, but one thing that can bring us together toward a common goal is that of giving to others, and making a positive impact on their lives,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “We should always be looking for opportunities to serve others and give generously of our time and resources to worthy causes. ‘Giving Tuesday’ is a great way to raise awareness of our responsibility to serve others before ourselves, and give back to our communities. I encourage everyone to embrace these values and the spirit of Giving Tuesday.”
“According to the 2014 Millennial Impact Report, 73 percent of millennials gave to charity in 2013,” said Congressman Schock. “Generosity and philanthropy are important to our generation, and we are rising to do our part as previous generations have done. For some, it’s through financial support of a favorite charity, church, or synagogue. For others, it’s through acts of service in their communities, or even through our nation’s most important form of volunteer service in the United States Armed Forces. Whatever the avenue they choose, millennials are wholeheartedly following the great American tradition of giving back and paying it forward.”
Now in its third year, #GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement with over 16,000 U.S.-based partners that celebrates the power of giving in all its forms. Launched by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation in 2012, this worldwide movement harnesses the power of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities and celebrates the power of giving in all its forms.
This resolution was co-sponsored by Reps. Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Todd Young (R-IN-09), and Rodney Davis (R-IL-17).
Background on #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday, December 2, 2014, follows the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, kicking off the holiday giving season with a global day dedicated to charitable giving, combining the power of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities. Now in its third year, #GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement that celebrates the power of giving in all its forms. This effort builds on the collective power of a unique blend of partners—charities, families, businesses and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday inspires people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday leverages the power of social media to create a global moment that is dedicated to giving around the world. #GivingTuesday was founded by 92nd Street Y and is spearheaded in tandem with the support of the United Nations Foundation.
A team of recognized experts, influencers, and founding partners originally spearheaded this effort. The founding partners include Blackbaud, CECP, charity: water, GlobalGiving, Groupon, Kiva, Microsoft, Pvblic Foundation, (RED), Unilever, United Nations Development Programme and Univision among many others. The movement includes signature media partner MSNBC, who will help spotlight the innovative ways that people are giving back in their communities and the world.
###
More Articles...
- VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Honors Hawai‘i County Leaders for Lava Flow Response
- MEDIA ADVISORY: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to Question Volcano Preparedness & Response Leaders
- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Works with CDC to Ensure Hawaiʻi Can Screen for Ebola In-State
- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Statement on Patsy Takemoto Mink Being Named Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
.