WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), issued a statement ahead of vote on the conference report on S. 1790, the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).   

“During a time when the Occupant of this White House is engaging in reckless, dangerous and militarized foreign policy, Congress must push back and reaffirm its role as a check on this Administration.

“Unfortunately, the NDAA is a $738 billion-dollar giveaway to the endless war machine. It will allow for the militarization of space through the creation of a wasteful and unnecessary ‘Space Force’ and perpetuate our nation’s misguided commitment to the Pentagon’s war chest at the expense of much needed investments needed to address our affordable housing crisis and improve our healthcare and education systems here at home.

“While I was pleased to see that the NDAA includes 12 weeks of paid parental leave for Federal workers and believe that it is far past time that the United States government—as the nation’s largest employer—upholds its responsibility to support working families, I must vote on the bill in its totality. While this is a strong step forward, there remains much work to be done to make paid family leave a reality for all Americans.

“The NDAA is an opportunity for Congress to legislate our values and usher a new era of foreign policy centered in peace, justice and human rights. Unfortunately, this NDAA misses the mark. Therefore, I plan to vote no.”

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