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Schakowsky Statement on Opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act

December 2, 2016

Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Schakowsky released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act:

“Keeping our country safe is one of the most important responsibilities that Congress has, and I take it very seriously. Unfortunately, I could not in good conscience vote for the National Defense Authorization Act that came to the House floor today.

This bill would give the Department of Defense more money than they asked for at a time when other agencies face devastating cuts and keep Guantanamo Bay open. Guantanamo Bay is an expensive, taxpayer-funded recruiting tool for terrorist organizations, and it tars our global reputation as a leader on human rights.

Additionally, the bill does not provide a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force. As a country and as a Congress, we need to fully debate how we use military force in the Middle East. Our current authorization was passed fifteen years ago, in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks and before ISIS was even created. We face a different world than we did in 2001, one with intricacies and complexities that require a new debate and a new AUMF

Although I remain opposed to this bill, I am pleased that the provision that allowed federal contractors to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals was removed from this version.

The defense policy put forth by this bill is flawed and bloated, and I cannot support it.”

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