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Congress Must End Sequestration and Make the Investments Necessary to Keep this Country Safe & Strong

Washington, DC, May 15, 2015
In a statement today on the House vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, Congressman Gerry Connolly said he opposed the bill because it fails to end sequestration, pits domestic investments versus defense investments, and includes an anti-immigrant amendment that denigrates those who choose to serve our nation in uniform. Read more.

In a statement today on the House vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, Congressman Gerry Connolly said he opposed the bill because it fails to end sequestration, pits domestic investments versus defense investments, and includes an anti-immigrant amendment that denigrates those who choose to serve our nation in uniform.

“I have always favored a strong and robust military, and my district is proud of the considerable contribution it makes to the nation’s defense,” said Connolly. “But the Republican budget is draconian and unworkable. This NDAA uses a disingenuous budget mechanism to circumvent sequestration while pitting defense versus domestic priorities. It fails to end sequestration and denigrates those we should honor – brave immigrants who risk their lives for our nation.”

Link to Connolly statement:

Congressman Connolly’s full statement follows:

May 15, 2015

Statement of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11)

H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

For 53 years, Congress has passed a National Defense Authorization Act with bipartisan support. I have always favored a strong and robust military, and my district is proud of the considerable contributions it makes to the nation’s defense.

Sadly, the Republicans have passed a draconian and unworkable budget that puts us in a straightjacket. They have entered into a Faustian bargain that pits domestic investments versus defense investments, and it is only through the use of a disingenuous budget mechanism – the multi-billion dollar plus up of the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund – that they seek to circumvent sequestration funding caps. I refuse to accept that choice. We can and must end sequestration and make the security, defense, and domestic investments necessary to keep this country safe and strong.

Adding insult to injury, House Republicans have adopted an amendment that precludes immigrants who have chosen to serve our nation from obtaining a path to legal status. This cynical measure represents values counter to everything I believe about my country.

It is for these reasons, sadly, I cannot support H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.
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