Cole Statement of House Passage of FY22 NDAA
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. The legislation authorizes funding for our nation's military personnel, readiness and operations and includes provisions that support the missions at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and Fort Sill in Lawton, which are both located in the Fourth District of Oklahoma. With Cole's support, H.R. 4350 passed the House today by a vote of 316-113.
"I am very pleased that Democrats and Republicans in the House were able to come to an agreement and pass a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act that ensures that our armed forces receive funding commensurate with our national needs," said Cole. "However, I am more pleased that this NDAA rejects President Biden's proposed underfunding of American defense.
"Indeed, the House Armed Services Committee should be commended for its work on this measure, and its efforts should serve as a model for the House. Since the beginning of this Congress, Republicans have been asking for bipartisanship and to work with Democrats on solving our nation's problems. We see now what can be accomplished when we allow committees to work together, across the aisle, to produce important legislation without interference from House leadership.
"Along with many other provisions of this bill, this NDAA rightly authorizes a 2.7 percent pay increase for servicemembers along with unprecedented investments in emerging technologies. It also continues funding for nuclear triad modernization, declares the record number of illegal crossings at our southern border a national security crisis and prepares our military to prepares us to prevail in conflict with a wide range of potential adversaries.
"This legislation also includes more than 20 provisions to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its appalling withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. These include requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a plan to Congress on how it will evacuate remaining American citizens from Afghanistan, conduct intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions and carryout counter-terrorism missions. It also includes language that prohibits the Department of Defense from providing any financial support to the Taliban.
"However, while the advancement of this bill in the House is a promising development since it authorizes appropriate and critical funding for our national defense, this bipartisan support must also be reflected in the appropriations process, in which Democrats are still reporting an effective cut. If the annual defense appropriations does not similarly increase to reflect the funding priorities of the NDAA, I cannot support the measure."
Earlier this week, Cole also made remarks on the House floor while managing debate on the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4350. Video is available here and below.
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