WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib released the following statement regarding today’s House passage of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“I voted against the NDAA today, a bill that hands nearly three quarters of a trillion dollars to our already bloated Defense Department and out-of-control President.

“As a voice and advocate for our frontline communities battling COVID-19 while facing concentrated poverty, growing health care costs, decreasing education funding, and continuous assaults on our environment, I could not support a bill that provides $732 billion for wars and defense contractors while our families struggle to make ends meet during this crisis. I support the long-overdue dismantling of the military-industrial complex so that we can finally put a stop to endless wars and reinvest resources into our communities. This bill does the exact opposite. 

“While I could not vote in favor of this bill, I am proud to have authored two amendments that were adopted by the House and improve the legislation by:

• Requiring action plans for the cleanup of toxic PFAS chemicals: Requiring the Department of Defense to report on their coordination with State and local officials when they use or spill PFAS-containing fire-fighting Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) and to submit a clean-up action plan to Congress within 30 days of their initial report.
• Protecting the health of our servicemembers: Ensuring that our service members operating the F-35 stealth fighter who have been injured by the technical and design flaws in this plane get the care they need and deserve.

“In addition, I am proud to have worked closely with other Progressive champions in the House and Senate as cosponsor of a push for a 10% cut to the defense budget, with the savings to be used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although that amendment did not pass in the House, I am encouraged to see a growing number of my colleagues backing the need for an end to limitless military spending.

“I am deeply disappointed by this bill’s passage, but I will not lose hope. We will continue to fight for a future in which Congress prioritizes our neighborhoods and communities over unlimited Pentagon spending.”