North Boston News

Washington, D.C. – On July 14, Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) voted against the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act in the House of Representatives. A member of the House Armed Services Committee and Marine veteran, Moulton has been involved in the creation of the annual defense bill each year since being elected to Congress.

“Since being elected to Congress, I have been proud to vote to pass a bipartisan NDAA each year that protects our nation and supports our troops. Unfortunately, the version of the bill passed by the House Armed Services Committee last month, on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, has been squandered by extremist Republicans who seem to care more about politics than national security. I cannot conscionably vote to pass it today.

"This bill attacks reproductive rights and access to basic health care for women in uniform. It marginalizes essentially any group that isn’t white and male. It condones discrimination and whitewashes our country’s history. At a time when we need to fix the recruitment crisis and focus on future threats, this legislation undermines both. Above all else: it does not adequately support our troops. 

"I am disappointed that the damage done to this NDAA means that the priorities I fought to include – like important mental health measures – are now at risk. But I will work to ensure that these measures and many other positive ones are ultimately represented in a future iteration of the NDAA.” 

Rep. Moulton also joined House Armed Services Democratic leaders in releasing a joint statement on opposing passage of the NDAA.

Original source can be found here.