Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) released the following statement after voting against the Republican-hijacked National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): 

“I was proud of the overwhelmingly bipartisan NDAA we passed out of committee with 58 votes to 1, which modernized our armed forces, secured the defense supply chain, and invested in our active-duty personnel and military families. Both sides came together every year, like Congress used to work, to bolster our national defense and provide our warfighters with the tools and resources they need to do the tough job we ask them to do. 

“Unfortunately, the traditionally bipartisan NDAA has been hijacked this year by the most extreme members of the Republican Conference, who put divisive culture wars over our men and women in uniform. From blocking the unprecedented confirmation of military leadership in the Senate to attacking reproductive health care and peddling ignorance, Republicans are jeopardizing our national security and making America less safe. 

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have never voted against an NDAA since coming to Congress until today. The American people and those who put their lives on the line in defense of our country and our values deserve better than this Republican NDAA. The longer that we prioritize divisive political stunts over our military, the weaker we will ultimately be. I will continue to fight for our men and women in uniform and ensure that the United States military remains the strongest and best fighting force the world has ever seen.

“Our allies are watching us, but more importantly, the enemies of the United States are taking note of a divided Congress that fails its most basic function to provide for the common defense.”