Last week, the House of Representatives passed the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual bill that authorizes Department of Defense programs.
Members only received this 4,409-page, $858 billion bill on Tuesday evening and were forced to vote on the bill under suspension of the rules on Thursday afternoon. It is fair to assume that exactly zero Members were able to read and digest this important legislation in this condensed time frame. The rushed and flimsy process is yet another example of how business as usual in the Swamp fails the American people.
This NDAA failed our troops, as the legislation did not permanently repeal the unjust COVID-19 vaccine mandate, despite Members’ claims, and doesn’t help those who have already been forced out over the vaccine.
The bill also gives another $800 million to bail out European allies that provided aid to Ukraine, strips out important provisions to end “Forever Wars,” continues the “woke” weaponization of the military, protects rogue FBI employees, authorizes a stealth gun control program, and in a ridiculous turn, contemplates coral reef resiliency, expands DOD’s climate change activism and bans sales of certain shark fins.
Our servicemembers and the American taxpayer deserve better. I voted against this irresponsible legislation.
Dan Bishop represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.
