Press Releases
Dr. Bucshon’s Statement on the NDAA Veto Override
Washington,
December 28, 2020
Tags:
Defense
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after voting to override President Trump’s veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act: “As nations like China and Russia continue working to try to impose their might on the world and undermine the national security of the U.S. and our allies, it is paramount that we remain steadfast and ready for all threats. This National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an important bill that is focused on ensuring that our men and women on the front lines have all the resources they need to carry out their mission and that our military can meet the threats our nation faces. Additionally, this NDAA includes important provisions to support our troops including the Military Family Readiness Act that authorizes a 3% pay raise for our troops and provides much needed support for our military families, continued hazard pay for our troops in combat zones, and an ample supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect our service members from COVID-19. It also includes support for national security programs and priorities that support Hoosier jobs at Crane and companies across Indiana. “This is not the time to veto important legislation that was passed with broad bipartisan support in the House (338 yeas to 78 nays) and Senate (84 yeas to 13 nays), legislation that protects our nation and our troops – including those currently serving on the frontlines in harm’s way. That said, I do agree with President Trump that it is unacceptable for big tech to censor voices they disagree with, be it conservative or liberal voices, under the protection of the federal government due to the immunity granted by Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. The current structure of Section 230 is simply outdated in today’s marketplace. In fact, the law was enacted before social media outlets even existed. It is time to revisit and modernize big tech’s Section 230 protections to meet the demands of the 21stcentury. The NDAA is not the appropriate place to address Section 230 and the legislation should not have been vetoed because Section 230 reform wasn’t included in the bill.”Background COVID-19 Protections: The NDAA ensures service members have the diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities and PPE they need, along with providing medical surge capacity in certain healthcare facilities Hazardous Duty Pay: The NDAA includes the annual re-authorization of the extra pay owed to troops deployed in combat zones. Safe and Reliable Nuclear Deterrent: The NDAA authorizes DoD nuclear weapons modernization programs and National Nuclear Security Administration infrastructure and weapons programs absolutely required to replace aging systems with diminishing reliability and survivability concerns that undermine the safety, security and effectiveness of the nation’s most important Defense capability – the Nuclear Deterrent. Deterring Russia: The NDAA prohibits future administrations from implementing any activity that recognizes the sovereignty of Russia over Crimea and extends the limitation on military cooperation between the United States and Russia. Cybersecurity: The NDAA adopts 17 Cyber Solarium Commission recommendations that strengthen the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and empowers the government to better protect against cyber-attack. Solidarity with Israel: The NDAA includes the United States-Israel Assistance Act. |
