Mercer Times

Washington D.C. – On July 14, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. This is the first time Congressman Kim has voted against the, traditionally, bipartisan NDAA. 

“I believe you can tell a lot about the values of a nation based on how they treat and care for those who are entrusted with defending the nation. The fact that House Republicans are targeting female servicemembers and voting to restrict their reproductive rights is appalling. These are Americans who are volunteering to put their lives on the line for our nation and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect, not be used as political pawns. This is one of a number of terrible provisions the House Republicans included. 

“We have a solemn duty in Congress to support our military and ensure our national security. I joined the Armed Services Committee when I first entered Congress because it was considered the last bastion of bipartisanship and was focused on protecting our nation. I voted for the NDAA every year since, and I voted for the NDAA in committee a month ago. It passed 58-1 in committee. It wasn’t a perfect bill and there were elements that I disagreed with, but I felt I could support it. If that version came for a vote today, I would without hesitation support it. Unfortunately, the Republican majority turned its back on the long-standing tradition of crafting a bipartisanship Defense Bill. 

“We live in a time with many serious global challenges and as we seek to position ourselves to best defend our country and our allies, we have to recognize that our best and most important advantage is our servicemembers. I voted against this bill because it targets our servicemembers and takes away support for them and their families. I pray the Senate avoids the extremist hijacking we endured in the House and that we can vote on a more sane and credible defense bill later this year.”

Congressman Kim is the Ranking Member on the Military Personnel Subcommittee, and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. Prior to serving in the House, Congressman Kim worked as a career public servant under both Democrats and Republicans. He served at USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and as a civilian advisor in Afghanistan. More information about Congressman Kim can be found onhis website.

Original source can be found here