Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on House Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“In Missouri, when you look someone in the eye, shake their hand, and agree to a deal, you honor it. However, in the latest attempt to divide the American people and politicize our military, following good-faith bipartisan negotiations, the Speaker of the House covertly inserted a provision that forces military families to adhere to his personal, far-right ideology that denies healthcare to innocent children. 

“Not only do I find it highly hypocritical and damaging that the Speaker would prevent military families, who sacrifice so much for the freedoms we enjoy today, from having the freedom to make personal healthcare decisions that are best for them, but I also refuse to support this behavior that damages to the House of Representatives’ ability to legislate moving forward. 

“For months, Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate worked in good faith on an NDAA that provides servicemembers a well-deserved pay raise; that strengthens military housing programs; that expands access to childcare services for military families; that provides HBCUs with needed funding; that furthers critical medical research; and so much more. I support all these worthy efforts unequivocally. 

“Tragically, despite this quality compromise, as well as the American people’s desire for unity and bipartisanship, the Speaker of the House decided he would put the will of far-right lawmakers before the needs of military families and the American people—a decision that even the Republican Chairman of the Armed Services Committee has criticized.  

“It is my hope that common sense and responsible governance will prevail by rescinding this unnecessary provision and passing the original compromise that will receive overwhelming bipartisan support.”

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.