GOP veterans criticize House Republicans who opposed defense spending bill.

Military Veterans in House GOP Criticize Conservative Colleagues for Sinking Defense Appropriations Bill

Military veterans within the House GOP conference ‍expressed their disappointment and frustration towards a small group of conservative colleagues who voted against the annual defense appropriations bill. These veterans accused the holdout votes of leaving the ‍country vulnerable to Chinese aggression.

“For political purposes,⁢ for optics, out of fear, they decided to vote against a rule​ to even allow this to come to​ the floor for debate,” said Rep.‍ Mike‍ Garcia (R-CA), a Navy veteran. “What ​we just saw with these five individuals was them adding, effectively, their name to that list​ that ⁢are enabling [Chinese President Xi Jinping] right now, who’s⁣ looking at this with⁣ a sigh of relief⁣ that we didn’t just get this DOD package to the floor. I’m disappointed. I am pissed off.”

The five House Republicans who ⁢voted against the ⁣bill were Reps. Ralph Norman ​(R-SC), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT). Their votes caused the party to fall short​ of the majority vote needed to proceed with the legislation.

GOP leaders have been working tirelessly to ⁤gather enough support for the defense appropriations bill, even making concessions on culture war amendments. ⁣However, their efforts were hindered when House leaders postponed ⁢the initial rules votes last week.

Despite​ the setback, other veterans within the GOP‍ conference emphasized that the handful of‍ members who sank the bill do not represent the ​entire ⁣conference.

“I want to be very clear:​ The Republican conference … didn’t vote this down,” said Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), a former Navy​ SEAL. “There’s five⁣ individual members of the Republican conference that are⁤ solely responsible for this happening. There’s five of them. And let’s just remember that.”

The House now faces uncertainty⁣ as GOP leaders strive to unify their party and determine when ⁤to reconvene for the vote. With ⁢a government ‌shutdown deadline ⁢approaching, Congress must pass the ‍budget for the next fiscal year by September 30.

Lawmakers have a ‍challenging task ahead ⁣as they need to advance 12 individual appropriations bills in each chamber and reconcile differences in spending numbers between House Republicans and Senate Democrats.

Members of‌ the House have been advised to keep their schedules flexible, with the possibility of meeting‍ over‍ the ‌weekend for votes.

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What led to the gridlock, ⁢dysfunction, and instability in this Congress?

To the gridlock, dysfunction,​ and instability⁣ of this Congress. It’s disappointing,⁢ and⁣ it’s frustrating.”

The defense appropriations bill, also known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is a crucial piece of ​legislation that ‌authorizes funds for the Department of ‌Defense and sets defense policy for the⁤ upcoming year. It ‍provides ⁣crucial resources for ‌our‌ military,​ ensures readiness, and supports the welfare of our⁢ troops. The bill has historically enjoyed bipartisan ⁢support, as​ both Democrats⁤ and Republicans recognize the importance of⁢ adequately funding our national defense.

However, in⁢ a surprising turn of events, a group of conservative House GOP members voted against‌ the ‍NDAA, effectively preventing it from moving forward. This decision sparked a backlash from military veterans within their own party, highlighting the deep ⁤divide within the Republican conference on matters ⁤related to national security.

One of the main concerns raised by these veterans is that voting against the defense appropriations bill undermines our‌ military’s ability to ⁢counter potential threats, particularly from China. The bill includes provisions to strengthen ⁤our‍ defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, where China’s aggressive behavior has been a growing concern. By voting against the bill, these conservative‌ colleagues are seen as jeopardizing national‌ security and ⁢leaving⁢ our country exposed to potential aggression.

Rep. Mike Garcia, a Navy veteran who served in the Middle East, expressed his‍ disappointment in these holdout votes. He emphasized that supporting the defense ​appropriations bill should not be a matter ⁤of ⁤politics but rather ⁢a matter of safeguarding our ⁣national security. Garcia, along with other⁣ military veterans in the House GOP, understands the importance ‍of adequately funding our military and ⁤ensuring⁢ the readiness of our troops.

It is worth noting that the defense appropriations bill not only provides funds for our⁢ defense capabilities but also​ addresses crucial ‍issues such as military‌ pay, healthcare for veterans, and other essential programs. By opposing this ⁢bill, these conservative colleagues are not only ​undermining our national security ⁢but also neglecting the well-being of‌ our servicemen and ⁢women who ‌have sacrificed so much⁤ for our country.

The vote ‌against the ⁤NDAA by these House GOP ⁣members ⁤is seen as a ⁢missed ‌opportunity to put aside political differences and prioritize​ the safety​ and security of our nation. It is disheartening to witness ‍a lack of unity within the Republican conference on⁤ critical matters that ‍should⁤ transcend ‍party⁣ lines.

Military ⁤veterans⁢ within the House​ GOP have made it clear that they⁤ expect better from their conservative colleagues. They have called for a more cohesive approach that​ prioritizes our national security and supports our ⁣military. As we face evolving global challenges, it ⁤is crucial that we stand⁣ together and provide the necessary⁢ resources⁤ to protect our country ‍and advance our interests.

The decision of these conservative colleagues⁢ to vote against the ⁢defense appropriations bill is not⁣ only ‌a disappointment to their​ fellow Republicans but also a disservice to the⁣ American people. We rely on our elected officials‍ to make responsible ⁢decisions that align with the best ​interests of our nation. By sinking ⁤the NDAA, these ⁣members have fallen short of that expectation and have undermined the ⁣security and well-being ⁣of our country.

As this episode⁤ highlights the deep divisions within the Republican conference, it is essential that we cultivate a more cooperative and unified approach to matters of national security. Our military veterans understand the significance of a ‌strong defense and the consequences ⁤of leaving our nation‌ vulnerable. It is our hope that all members of Congress, regardless of political affiliation, recognize the importance of prioritizing our national security and supporting the brave men and women who serve our country.

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