Rep. Scholten Statement on Partisan Defense Bill

Today, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) released the following statement after voting no on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill has historically brought Democrats and Republicans together to craft a comprehensive package to support our nation’s servicemembers, their families, and American military readiness. The legislation put forth by House Republicans added dangerous provisions that would jeopardize female servicemembers’ access to certain health care services, slash programs that ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in our military ranks, and attack LGBTQ servicemembers and prospective members of our nation’s military.

“We owe a never-ending debt of gratitude to the men and women who serve our country. That is why this bill, more than any other, should be free from partisan gamesmanship. Unfortunately, extremists in the Republican party have hijacked this bill. We won’t let them. They tried this last year and failed. Ultimately, we were able to come together last December to remove dangerous partisan provisions and pass a bipartisan compromise. The FY25 NDAA that came out of committee was a good, patriotic bill and would have had my support. But Republicans put an extremist wish list before our servicemembers. It’s devastating. It is my hope that the House will work together with the Senate again and get a workable bill soon. I could not support this legislation in its current form.” 

“Our troops deserve support from Congress – and this NDAA falls far short of that promise to those who defend and serve. At a time where democracy is at stake globally, I am calling on my Republican colleagues to come to the table to support a bipartisan bill that keeps America in the driver’s seat of global democracy in support of our allies.”