Rep. Cleaver’s Statement After Voting Against MAGA-fied National Defense Authorization Act

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act that was MAGA-fied following moderate Republicans bowing to the demands of ultraconservatives in the House of Representatives.

“By inserting culturally divisive and harmful provisions into this NDAA—such as preventing servicewomen from accessing critical healthcare and defunding programs that combat extremism and racism within our armed forces—MAGA Republicans have chosen to politicize our military and undermine our national security. That is something I cannot support.

“Rather than simply voting on the bill that passed out of the Armed Services Committee with near-unanimous support, by a vote of 58-1, Speaker McCarthy and moderate Republicans have once again allowed MAGA extremists to hijack essential legislation that upholds America’s national security and supports our men and women in uniform. Not only are they blocking the appointments of vital military leaders in the Senate over an attempt to restrict women servicemembers’ healthcare decisions, but they are now fighting to eliminate attempts by military leadership to ensure our military is a cohesive institution that reflects the diversity of America—which will only hurt recruitment efforts that are already insufficient.

“For more than six decades, Congress has passed an NDAA with overwhelming bipartisan support, because our troops and national security have always been above petty politics and partisan games. While extremists in the Republican Caucus in the House have demonstrated that there is no part of basic governance they will not try to politicize, I hope and expect that Senate Democrats and ten responsible Senate Republicans will come together to pass a commonsense defense bill that gives our troops a well-deserved pay raise, invests in military families, and provides additional funding to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

“When that occurs, I look forward to supporting the bill.”

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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.