HASC Markup Improves NDAA but Leaves Out Important Amendments: Carafano

Sep 3, 2021 1 min read

WASHINGTON—Yesterday, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan 57-2 vote. James Carafano, The Heritage Foundation’s vice president of The Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and E.W. Richardson fellow, released the following statement on the improved, though still imperfect, proposal:

“There is no more important calling for the federal government than providing for the common defense, and the NDAA is a critical means of doing so. Following key improvements in the markup process, the NDAA now provides authorization for the Department of Defense to procure an additional destroyer, more submarines, and aircraft necessary to protect American interests and deter our adversaries—especially China and Russia.

“The House Armed Services Committee’s increase to the budget’s topline sends a message to our adversaries and allies that the United States takes its national defense seriously, despite the Biden administration’s complete mismanagement of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The bipartisan committee vote shows that Congress better understands the needs of our national defense strategy than the administration charged with executing it.”

“Congress still has much work to do. Important amendments that were left on the committee room floor should be considered by the full House, especially Rep. Jim Banks amendment to prohibit the indoctrination of service members with racist and anti-American ideologies. Congress must also seek specific answers on the mangled Afghanistan withdrawal and ensure the selective service does not expand to include women in the draft process.”