Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)
WASHINGTON–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
“Today I voted ‘NO’ on the National Defense Authorization Act because Congress cannot continue writing blank checks for endless war while millions of Americans struggle to afford housing, health care, and basic necessities.
“This year’s NDAA authorizes nearly $900 billion for the Pentagon, more than we spend on education, health, climate, and poverty programs combined. It pours billions into weapons systems the Pentagon itself has said it does not need. It increases funding for defense contractors who profit from global instability and it advances a vision of national security rooted in militarization instead of diplomacy, human rights, or community wellbeing. Republicans also removed an Afghan relocation legislation from the final NDAA, abandoning the very allies who risked their lives to help American service members.
“At a time when families in Minnesota’s 5th District are struggling with rising costs, when our schools and social services remain underfunded, and when the Pentagon continues to evade a clean audit year after year, Congress should be investing in people.
“I will always support giving service members what they need to stay safe but that does not mean rubber stamping bloated budgets or enabling unchecked executive war powers.