Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, which funds all military-related activities.

“As the proud mother of a U.S. Marine veteran, I take seriously Congress’ responsibility to support our troops,” Frankel said. “While this bill is a good first step, I could not vote for it today because it would raid $18 billion from funds for our combat troops to pay for items not requested by our military leader. This budget gimmick would leave funding for our men and women serving overseas hanging in the balance in less than a year – an unconscionable move as they defend us against global threats like ISIL.

“Furthermore, House Republicans added an unrelated and mean-spirited measure that would open the door to discrimination against LGBT workers in federal contracting. These policies have no place in our society, let alone a bill to fund our national defense.”

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