Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on National Defense Authorization Act
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on FY21 National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement after voting against the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
“I’d like to thank my colleague, Chairman Adam Smith, for his consistent efforts to include key House provisions in this year’s NDAA conference report. I was very pleased that the provisions which the Congressional Black Caucus led that calls for the renaming of Confederate military bases made it into the final bill. There is a dangerous and hurtful legacy of white supremacy in this country, and there is no place for the memorialization of the historical figures that perpetuated it, especially on our military bases. I’m pleased that the CBC and House Democrats successfully kept this important provision in the final text of the bill.
“However, the FY21 NDAA continues our legacy of wasteful military spending and investing in war rather than peace. This legislation provides $732 billion in discretionary spending, nearly the exact same number as last year’s number, which was the largest number ever authorized.
“Especially as we fight back a catastrophic pandemic and public health crisis, Congress should not be rewarding the Pentagon with a massive spending increase. I cannot support a bill that funds the Pentagon at a level far beyond what is necessary for our national defense, turning our backs on the serious human need we face today.
“For these reasons, I am unable to support the NDAA conference report and voted no.”