2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Direct The Defense Department To Enhance
Energy Resiliency Of Operating Bases In The European Command Zone And
End The Use Of Russian Energy Within Five Years. In December 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the James M.
Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which
would, in part, "require the DOD to make plans to increase the energy
resiliency of operating bases in the European Command zone and eliminate
the use of Russian energy within five years." The vote was on passage.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 350-80, thus the bill was sent to
the Senate for final concurrence. The Senate concurred with the House,
sent the final bill to President Biden, and it ultimately became law.
[House Vote 516,
12/8/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1512;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7776]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For The May 2017 FY 2017 Omnibus
Appropriations Bill That Increased Defense Spending By $15 Billion;
Trump Had Requested $30 Billion. In May 2017, Fitzpatrick voted for
the FY 2017 omnibus appropriations bill that would keep much of the
government open and would have provided $1.16 trillion in discretionary
spending. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The $1.163 trillion
package provide[d] $593 billion for defense, including $15 billion
of the $30 billion in supplemental defense funds requested by President
Trump in March." Overall, the legislation would have, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provide[d] $1.16 trillion in discretionary
appropriations through Sept. 30, 2017 for federal departments and
agencies covered by the remaining 11 fiscal 2017 spending bills. [...]
The measure would also [have] provide[d] $608 million for health
benefits for retired coal miners, $296 million for Medicaid payments to
Puerto Rico, and $341 million to replace 40 miles of existing fencing
along the southwestern border, though the designs of the fencing must
have been 'previously deployed'." The vote was on a motion to concur in
the Senate amendments. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 309
to 118. The Senate later also agreed to the legislation, sending the
bill to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 249,
5/3/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/2/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/4/17; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
244]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill.
In March 2017, Fitzpatrick voted for appropriating $557.9 billion in
defense discretionary spending. According to Congressional Quarterly,
the legislation would have "provide[d] $577.9 billion in
discretionary funding for the Defense Department in fiscal 2017. The
total would [have] include[d] $516.1 billion in base Defense
Department funding subject to spending caps. It also would [have]
include[d] $61.8 billion in overseas contingency operations funding.
The bill would [have] provide[d] approximately $210.1 billion for
operations and maintenance, approximately $117.8 billion for
procurement, approximately $72.7 billion for research and development
and $132.2 billion for military personnel, including a 2.1 percent pay
raise. It also would [have] provide[d] roughly $34.1 billion for
defense health programs. The measure would [have] prohibit[ed] use
of funds to construct or modify potential facilities in the United
States to house Guantanamo Bay detainees." The House passed the bill by
a vote of 371 to 48. The bill was later turned into a continuing
resolution. [House Vote 136,
3/8/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/8/17; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1301]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus
Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017
Levels, Including $80 Billion In Defense Spending. In March 2018,
Fitzpatrick voted for the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Combined, the spending measures would provide
about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion
subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as
Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels
are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps
set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement
increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense
cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce
overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided
by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level." The vote was on
the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The
House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256
to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the
president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127,
3/22/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1625]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For A February 2018 Two-Year Budget Deal
Which, Among Other Things, Increased Spending By $300 Billion,
Suspended The Debt Ceiling And Provided $90 Billion In Disaster Relief
For The 2017 Hurricanes And Wildfires. In February 2018, Fitzpatrick
voted for a two-year budget deal that re-opened the government after a
brief shutdown. According to the New York Times, "With Mr. Trump's
signature, the government will reopen before many Americans were aware
it had closed, with a deal that includes about $300 billion in
additional funds over two years for military and nonmilitary programs,
almost $90 billion in disaster relief in response to last year's
hurricanes and wildfires, and a higher statutory debt ceiling." In
addition, according to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation "would
provide funding for federal government operations and services at
current levels through March 23, 2018 [...] [and] retroactively
extends numerous tax breaks that expired at the end of 2016. It also
extends the CHIP program for another four years (through FY 2027) and
funds community health centers for another two years." The vote was on a
motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the
bill. The House agreed to the motion, essentially on passage, by a vote
of 240 to 186. The bill was then sent to the president, who signed it
into law. [House Vote 69,
2/9/18; New York Times,
2/8/18;
Congressional Quarterly,
2/9/18; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
1892]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2018 Defense Authorization
Conference Report, Which Authorized $692.1 Billion In Defense Spending
For FY 2018, Including $65.7 Billion For Operations In Afghanistan,
Iraq, Syria And The General War On Terror. In November 2017,
Fitzpatrick voted for the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization
conference report. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Adoption of
the conference report on the bill that would authorize $692.1 billion
for defense programs in fiscal 2018, including $65.7 billion for
overseas operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and for the general
war on terror. It would authorize $241.2 billion for operations and
maintenance; $146.2 billion for military personnel; 10.7 billion for
military construction and family housing; $15 billion for
ballistic-missile defense; and $33.9 billion for defense health care
programs, including $396 million from the overseas operations account.
It would prohibit the use of funds for a new round of base closures. It
would authorize $8 billion for various cybersecurity programs, would
require the president to develop a national policy for the United States
related to cybersecurity and would withhold certain funds made available
for White House staff until the president would submit such national
policy to Congress. The bill would authorize a 2.4 percent pay raise for
military personnel. It would prohibit detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
from being transferred to U.S. soil, and would prohibit the closing of
the main base and detention facility at Guantanamo. It would extend,
through 2018, the authority for several bonus and special payments for
military members." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by
a vote of 356 to 70. The Senate later adopted the bill by voice vote.
President Trump later signed the bill into law. [House Vote 631,
11/14/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/14/17; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
2810]
The Bill Barred The Use Of Defense Spending For The Closure Of
Military Bases. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would
prohibit the use of funds for a new round of base closures."
[Congressional Quarterly,
11/14/17]
The Bill Authorized $8 Billion For Several Cybersecurity Programs
And Required The Trump Administration To Develop A National
Cybersecurity Policy. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It
would authorize $8 billion for various cybersecurity programs,
would require the president to develop a national policy for the
United States related to cybersecurity and would withhold certain
funds made available for White House staff until the president would
submit such national policy to Congress." [Congressional Quarterly,
11/14/17]
The Bill Authorized A 2.4% Salary Increase For Military
Personnel. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would
authorize a 2.4 percent pay raise for military personnel."
[Congressional Quarterly,
11/14/17]
The Bill Prohibited Guantanamo Bay Detainees From Being
Transferred To U.S. Territory And Banned The Closing Of The
Guantanamo Bay Facility. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It
would prohibit detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from being
transferred to U.S. soil, and would prohibit the closing of the main
base and detention facility at Guantanamo." [Congressional
Quarterly, 11/14/17]
The Bill Extended Several Bonus And Special Payments For Military
Members Through 2018. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It
would extend, through 2018, the authority for several bonus and
special payments for military members." [Congressional Quarterly,
11/14/17]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2018 Defense Authorization, Which
Increased Authorized Defense Funding By More Than $20 Billion Over What
President Trump Requested. In July 2017, Fitzpatrick voted for an FY
2018 NDAA. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would
have "authorize[d] $688.3 billion in discretionary funding for
defense programs in fiscal 2018. The total would [have] include[d]
$74.6 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations funds, of which $10
billion would be used for non-war, base defense budget needs; $239.7
billion for operations and maintenance; $10.2 billion for military
construction; $142.9 billion for military personnel; and $33.9 billion
for defense health care programs. It would [have] authorize[d]
$12.5 billion for procurement of F-35 planes, research and development,
as well as modifications to existing aircraft, and would [have]
prohibit[d] the retirement of the A-10 bomber fleet. The bill would
[have] require[d] the Defense Department to submit to Congress a
report on vulnerabilities to military installations resulting from
climate change over the next 20 years, and would [have] express[d]
the sense of Congress that climate change is a 'direct threat' to U.S.
national security. The bill would also [have] require[d] the Air
Force to establish, by 2019, the Space Corps, a fighting force to
improve the U.S. military's ability to address threats in space." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 344 to 81. A
related version of the bill later became law. [House Vote 378,
7/14/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/14/17; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
2810]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Conference Report Minibus
Spending Bill And Continuing Resolution That Appropriated $855.1
Billion For The Defense Department. In September 2018, Fitzpatrick
voted for an FY 2019 Labor, HHS, Education, and Defense minibus spending
bill conference report. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Adoption
of the conference report on the bill that would provide $855.1 billion
in discretionary funding for fiscal 2019 to various departments and
agencies, including $674.4 billion for the Defense Department and
$178.1 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
departments. The Defense Department total would include $606.5 billion
in base Defense Department funding subject to spending caps, and would
include $67.9 billion in overseas contingency operations funding. The
bill would provide $90.3 billion in discretionary spending for the
Health and Human Services Department, $71.4 billion for the Education
Department and $12.1 billion for the Labor Department. The measure
would also provide funding for federal government operations until Dec.
7, 2018, at an annualized rate of approximately $1.3 trillion." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 361 to 61.
The president later signed the bill into law. [House Vote 405,
9/26/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/26/18;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6157]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Conference Report For The FY 2019
National Defense Authorization Act, Which Authorized $708.1 Billion In
Defense Spending For FY 2019. In July 2018, Fitzpatrick voted to adopt
the conference report for the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $708.1 billion for defense-related
programs, with $639.1 billion for the Defense Department's base
budget, and $69 billion for overseas contingency operations.
Specifically, it would authorize $65 million for the development of
low-yield nuclear weapons. It would also authorize $18.8 billion for
Navy aircraft procurement, $16.5 billion for Air Force aircraft, and
$24.1 billion for Navy shipbuilding." The vote was on the adoption of a
conference report. The House adopted the conference report by a vote of
359 to 54, thus the bill was sent to the Senate and the President, and
ultimately became law. [House Vote 379,
7/26/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/26/18;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5515]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill,
Which Provided $659 Billion In Discretionary Spending For The Defense
Department. In December 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for the FY 2020
minibus appropriations bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "the
agreement appropriates a total of $695.1 in discretionary funding for
the Defense Department for FY 2020 --- $19.5 billion (3%) more than the
FY 2019 level, but $4.6 billion (0.5%) less than the president's
request. The total includes $622.7 billion subject to caps, $70.7
billion in OCO funding, and $1.8 billion in emergency funding." The
vote was a motion to concur in the Senate Amendment. The House agreed to
the motion by a vote of 280-138. The Senate then passed the bill and the
President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 690,
12/17/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/17/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.1158]
The FY 2020 Minibus Provided $40 Million To Establish A New,
Sixth Armed Service For Space But Authorized $32 Million Less Than
The Administration's Request. According to the Washington Post,
"The defense bill dedicates $40 million to establish a new, sixth
armed service [sic] for space, which was $32 million less than
the administration's request. Even as Congress approved a sweeping
defense policy bill this week that re-designates Air Force Space
Command, it included language to prohibit any new billets, meaning
the organization must be built with existing forces." [Washington
Post,
12/19/19]
The FY 2020 Minibus Reauthorized The Export-Import Bank, Which Is
Favored By The Aerospace And Defense Industry. According to
Defense News, "The bill also reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, an
aerospace and defense industry priority. The bank, which assists in
financing and facilitating U.S. exports of goods and services, is
seen by industry as a tool to level the playing field with foreign
competitors with better access to credit." [Defense News,
12/16/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The FY 2020 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA). In December 2019, Fitzpatrick effectively
voted for the FY 2020 NDAA. According to Congressional Quarterly, the
bill would "would authorize, in total, $738 billion in discretionary
defense spending, including $256.7 billion for Defense Department
operations and maintenance, including operations in Afghanistan and
Syria, $143 billion for weapons and other procurement, and $188
billion for personnel-related expenses." The vote was on adoption of the
conference report to accompany the bill. The House adopted the
conference report by a vote of 377-48. The bill was later passed by the
Senate and signed into law by the President. [House Vote 672,
12/11/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/11/19;
Congressional Actions,
S.1790]
The FY 2020 NDAA Established The Space Force Housed Within The Air
Force, But Provided $32 Million Less Than Requested By The Trump
Administration. According to Defense News, "The NDAA would
redesignate Air Force Space Command as the new, sixth armed service,
but it included language to prohibit any new billets, meaning the
organization must be built with existing forces. Likewise, the
defense appropriations bill would grant $32 million less than the
administration's $72.4 million request." [Defense News,
12/17/19]
In Exchange For The Space Force, Democrats Included A Provision
That Grants Federal Employees 12 Weeks Of Paid Parental Leave.
According to The Hill, "The $738 billion bill [...] includes a
high-profile deal that grants federal employees 12 weeks of paid
parental leave in exchange for creating Trump's 'Space Force'
[...] the tradeoff for paid parental leave --- and the large tab
--- earned the defense policy bill backlash from fiscal
conservatives in the Senate." [The Hill,
12/17/19]
The FY 2020 NDAA Only Provided $1.375 Billion For The Wall, $5.8
Billion Less Than Requested By President Trump. "Congress provided
only 1.375 Billion for border barriers [...] The agreement does
not authorize the $7.2 billion requested by the president for Army
OCO military construction funding to build the border wall, half of
which ($3.6 billion) would be to back-fill accounts where funds
diverted for wall construction." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/17/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The House FY 2020 NDAA That Provided
$17 Billion Less Than Requested By The Administration, Denied Funding
For A Border Wall, And Curbed President Trump's War Powers In Iran. In
July 2019, Fitzpatrick voted against the House FY 2020 NDAA that would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $724.9 billion in
discretionary defense spending, including $256 billion for Defense
Department operations and maintenance, including operations in
Afghanistan and Syria, $140.5 billion for weapons and other
procurement, and $187.6 billion for personnel-related expenses. Within
the total, the bill would authorize $69 billion for overseas
contingency operations not subject to discretionary spending caps. The
bill would authorize $22.7 billion for Energy Department
defense-related activities, including for nuclear weapon programs and
environmental restoration activities; $33 billion for the Defense
health program; $11.5 billion for military construction, family
housing, and base realignment and closure activities; and approximately
$11 billion for missile defense programs." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 220-197. [House Vote 473,
7/12/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/12/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.2500]
Republicans Opposed The House FY 2020 NDAA, Citing Restrictions On
Nuclear Weapons and Guantanamo Bay And Because It Authorizes $17
Billion Less Than Republicans Requested. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Republicans opposed the underlying bill
before it reached the floor because it includes a prohibition on
deploying lower-yield nuclear weapons, a ban on sending new
prisoners to the Guantanamo Bay detention center and restrictions on
how the Pentagon can transfer funds between its accounts. They also
said its $733 billion in authorized spending, a full $17 billion
less than Republicans desired, wasn't enough." [Congressional
Quarterly, 7/12/19]
Democrats Included Two Amendments In The House FY 2020 NDAA Aimed
At Curbing President Trump's War Powers With Regards To Iran.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House on Friday adopted a
handful of progressive-sponsored amendments. One, from Armed
Services Committee member and vice chairman of the Congressional
Progressive Caucus Ro Khanna of California, would block President
Donald Trump from launching an unauthorized war with Iran. That
amendment passed 251-170 shortly after Trump warned Iran over
breaching uranium enrichment levels outlined in a pact with world
powers. The United States withdrew from the deal [...] California
Democrat Barbara Lee's amendment to repeal the 2002 Authorization
for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq that has been used to
sanction U.S. military activity across the Middle East, was adopted
242-180." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/12/19]
Democrats Passed Amendments In The House FY 2020 NDAA To Challenge
Trump Administration Policies, Such As Allowing Transgender People
To Join The Military And Limiting The Transfer Of Arms To Saudi
Arabia. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Earlier this week,
the chamber approved amendments that would: allow transgender people
to join the armed forces; block the Defense Department from spending
money at Trump properties unless the president reimburses the
government; limit the administration's ability to transfer arms to
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without approval from
Congress; [and] ban support for and participation in the Saudi-led
coalition's military actions in Yemen, and prohibit the president
from holding military parades for political purposes."
[Congressional Quarterly,
7/12/19]
The House FY 2020 NDAA Established The Space Corps As A Component
Of The Air Force. The bill "would create a new military service to
organize, train, equip, and operate space forces. The new service
would be established in the Department of the Air Force, similar to
how the Marine Corps is a component of the Department of the Navy
[...] In total, CBO estimates the annual recurring costs and
onetime costs of the new Space Corps would increase by about $3.6
billion over the 2020-2024 period." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/27/19]
The House FY 2020 NDAA Included A 3.1% Pay Increase For Members Of
The Armed Services. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Among
other provisions, the bill would authorize a 3.1 percent pay
increase for members of the armed forces." [Congressional
Quarterly, 7/12/19]
The House FY 2020 NDAA Provided 12 Weeks Of Paid Family Leave.
According to Government Executive, "The House by voice vote also
approved the inclusion of [...] [a] proposal to grant all
federal workers with 12 weeks of paid family leave related to the
birth, adoption or fostering of a child, or to help care for a
child, parent or spouse with a serious health condition. That
language also would provide 12 weeks to paid leave to feds if they
themselves experience a serious health condition, or because of an
'urgent need' related to a spouse, child or parent's call to active
duty in the armed forces." [Government Executive,
7/12/19]
The Hill: Senate "Republicans Say The House Amendments Are
Non-Starters For Them In Bicameral Negotiations Over The Final
Product." According to The Hill, "The House and Senate are headed
for a fight over the annual defense policy bill after the House
loaded its version with progressive priorities to get it through the
chamber on Friday. Senate Republicans say the House amendments are
non-starters for them in bicameral negotiations over the final
product. It's unclear how hard Democrats will fight to keep the
provisions, with Democratic House Armed Services Committee leaders
saying the most important goal is to get a bill to the president's
desk. That means liberal victories, such as amendments to block
military action against Iran and reverse the transgender military
ban, could be short-lived." [The Hill,
7/14/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For Increasing Funding In The
House FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) For The Military
Pay Raise And Military Maintenance Accounts. In July 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for the motion to recommit the House FY 2020 NDAA that would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "report it back immediately with
an amendment that would increase funds authorized by the bill for
military department operations and maintenance by a total of more than
$1.6 billion, including $606.5 million for the Army, $361.3 million
for the Navy, $250.1 million for the Air Force, $155.4 million for the
Army National Guard, and $125.3 million for the Air National Guard, and
$83.3 million for the Marine Corps. It would increase by four percent
monthly basic pay rates for members of the uniformed services, and
increase by a total of more than $959 million funds authorized by the
bill for military personnel." The vote was on a motion to recommit the
bill. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 202-212. [House Vote
472, 7/12/19;
Congressional Quarterly,
7/12/19; Congressional Actions,
H.R.2500]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted To Override President Trump's Veto Over The
National Defense Authorization Act For FY2021. In December 2020,
Fitzpatrick voted for overriding President Trump's veto of the FY2021
defense authorization bill which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize $731.6 billion in national defense spending,
including $704.5 billion for the Defense Department and $26.6 billion
for national security programs within the Energy Department. Within the
total, it would authorize $69 billion for overseas contingency
operations not subject to discretionary spending caps." The vote was on
overriding a veto. The House overrode the veto by a vote of 322-87 and
the bill became law. [House Vote 253,
12/28/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/28/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6395]
President Trump Threatened To Veto The 2021 Defense Authorization
Bill Over Language Requiring Renaming Confederate Military Bases And
If The Bill Did Not Include Rescinding Legal Protections For Social
Media Companies. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The rule
also would provide for House consideration on Dec. 28, of a vote to
override a possible presidential veto of the fiscal 2021 defense
authorization (HR 6395). Both the House and the Senate passed the
measure with veto-proof margins earlier in December. President
Donald Trump has threatened to veto the legislation over language
requiring the renaming of military bases that honor Confederates. He
also said he would veto it if it didn't include a repeal of legal
protections for social media companies found in Section 230 of a
1996 communications law (PL 104-104). The current liability shield
protects companies like Facebook and Twitter from lawsuits."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/21/20]
President Trump Vetoed The National Defense Authorization Act Due
To The Provision To Rename Confederate Military Bases, The Lack Of A
Provision To Rescind Legal Liability Shields For Social Media Sites,
And Legislative Language That Limits On How Many And How Quickly
Troops May Be Withdrawn From Afghanistan And Germany. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed
the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill, making good on repeated
vows to do so and setting the stage for an eleventh-hour override
vote in Congress [...] Trump has taken issue with a provision that
would rename military bases that honor Confederate generals and the
lack of a provision that would deprive social media companies of
their legal liability shields. The president also balked at language
that would impose limits on how many troops can be withdrawn from
Afghanistan and Germany --- and how quickly. 'Unfortunately, the Act
fails to include critical national security measures, includes
provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military's
history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America
first in our national security and foreign policy actions. It is a
gift to China and Russia,' read a veto message released by the White
House Wednesday." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/23/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted To Agree To The Conference Report Of The
National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2021, Which Would
Authorize $731.6 Billion In National Defense Spending And Grant $26.6
Billion To The Energy Department For National Security Programs. In
December 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the conference report on the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $731.6 billion
in national defense spending, including $704.5 billion for the Defense
Department and $26.6 billion for national security programs within the
Energy Department. Within the total, it would authorize $69 billion for
overseas contingency operations not subject to discretionary spending
caps. The bill would authorize approximately $142.1 billion for weapons
and other procurement, including $5.5 billion for overseas contingency
operations, $12 billion for F-35 series joint strike fighter aircraft
procurement, and $23.4 billion for shipbuilding. It would authorize
$8.1 billion for military construction. It would authorize $2.2
billion in fiscal 2021 for the Defense Department to carry out a new
Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense
posture, build allied military capabilities, and improve infrastructure
and asset positioning in the Indo-Pacific region. It would authorize a 3
percent military pay increase and expand protections for victims of
sexual assault in the armed services. It would require the Defense
Department to remove from its assets, within three years of enactment,
all names or monuments commemorating the Confederacy or individuals who
served with it. It would also require the Defense Department to maintain
a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment sufficient for all
members of the armed forces; include in its annual budget materials a
plan for research and development of vaccines and treatments for
infectious diseases; and establish a panel to review the military health
system's response to COVID-19. Within Energy Department funding, it
would authorize $19.7 billion for the National Nuclear Security
Administration, primarily for maintenance of a nuclear weapons
stockpile, and require the Energy Department to include adequate funding
levels suggested by the Nuclear Weapons Council in an appendix to its
budget request if the council finds the proposed request inadequate.
Through fiscal 2025, it would authorize $1.2 billion for the Energy
Department and $4.8 billion for the National Science Foundation to
conduct artificial intelligence research, and it would create a National
Artificial Intelligence Initiative within the Office of Science and
Technology Policy. For international assistance and cooperation, the
bill would authorize $4 billion for the Afghan security forces; $250
million in security assistance to Ukraine; $360 million for a
cooperative threat reduction program assisting former Soviet Union
countries, including $225 million for biological threat reduction; and
$3.3 billion annually through fiscal 2028 for security assistance to
Israel. It would place limits on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from
South Korea, Germany and Afghanistan. Among other provisions, it would
require the Defense Department to notify Congress on steps taken to
mitigate 5G and 6G security risks posed by at-risk vendors, including
Chinese-owned companies Huawei and ZTE, when basing forces or a major
weapons system overseas. It would establish an Office of the National
Cyber Director to advise the president on cybersecurity policy and
include a number of provisions to assess and address cybersecurity risks
within Defense and Homeland Security department operations. It would
include measures to increase corporate reporting requirements to address
money laundering and terrorist financing." The vote was on agreeing to
the conference report. The House adopted the conference report and sent
it to the Senate by a vote of 335-78 but was vetoed by President Trump.
[House Vote 238,
12/8/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6395]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted To Close Certain Portions Of The Conference
Between Both Chambers On The Fiscal 2021 Defense Authorization Bill To
The Public. In November 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for a motion to close
conference on the 2021 Fiscal Defense Authorization bill which,
according to Congressional Quarterly, was "a motion that certain
portions of the conference between the House and Senate on the fiscal
2021 defense authorization bill (HR 6395) be closed to the public at
such times as classified national security information may be
discussed." The vote was on a motion to close conference. The House
agreed to the motion by a vote of 396-8. [House Vote 222,
11/18/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/18/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R
6395]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The $730 Billion House FY 2021 NDAA That,
Amongst Other Provisions, Required The Military To Rename Bases Named
After Confederate Officers. In July 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the
House FY 2021 NDAA that would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"authorize $731.6 billion in national defense spending, including
$704.5 billion for the Defense Department and $26.6 billion for
national security programs within the Energy Department. Within the
total, it would authorize $69 billion for overseas contingency
operations not subject to discretionary spending caps. The bill would
authorize approximately $138.3 billion for weapons and other
procurement, including $5.5 billion for overseas contingency
operations, $7.4 billion for F-35 series joint strike fighter aircraft
procurement, and $22.3 billion for shipbuilding. It would authorize
$8.2 billion for military construction. It would authorize $3.6
billion in fiscal 2021 for the Defense Department to carry out a new
Indo-Pacific Reassurance Initiative to optimize the presence of U.S.
forces, build allied military capabilities, and improve infrastructure
and asset positioning in the region. Among other provisions, the bill
would authorize a 3 percent pay increase for members of the armed
forces; authorize $1 billion to establish a Defense Department pandemic
preparedness national security fund, primarily to fund biopreparedness
research; and require the Defense Department to prohibit the public
display of the Confederate battle flag on department property and rename
any assets named after leaders of the Confederacy or any armed rebellion
against the United States." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 295-125. [House Vote 152,
7/21/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/21/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.6395]
President Trump Threatened To Veto The Bill Over The Provision
That Required The Military To Rename Bases Named After Confederate
Officers. According to Congressional Quarterly, "President Trump
has publicly threatened to veto the measure, which has been enacted
annually for the past 59 consecutive years, if the final version of
the bill requires the military to rename bases that honor
Confederate officers [...] Just before the House voted on passage,
the Office of Management and Budget released a Statement of
Administration Policy listing 33 provisions the White House
'strongly objects to.'" [Congressional Quarterly,
7/21/20]
The White House Opposed Other Provisions In The Bill, Including A
Measure Meant To Prevent The Administration From Using Military
Construction Funds For The Border Wall. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The White House's list of concerns include a provision
that would place limits on the Defense Department's ability to
approve emergency military construction projects, a nod to the
battle over the administration's use of military construction money
to pay for the contentious border wall. The administration also
opposes language that would grant the mayor of Washington greater
authority over the District of Columbia National guard, an issue
that arose during the recent nationwide rpotests, and another that
would limit the use of funds for the removal of troops from
Afghanistan." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/21/20]
The Bill Included Two Amendments Expanding Federal Land
Protections. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House did
approve two land-related amendments to the defense bill offered by
Democrats. An amendment from Joe Neguse, D-Colo., would insert
language from two bills [...] to prohibit new mining in parts of
Colorado and near the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It would also expand
federal authority over certain areas of Colorado. Another amendment
from Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., would [...] designate 1.4
million acres in California, Colorado, and Washington as wilderness
areas, and more than 1,200 river miles in California and Washington
as wild or scenic." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/21/20]
The FY 2021 NDAA Banned TikTok On Government Issued Phones.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "the House also adopted an
amendment that would require the FBI to report to Congress on the
extent of domestic terrorism threats [...] Yet another amendment
approved by the House would ban federal employees from downloading
the Chinese, video-focused social media app TikTok on government
issued devices." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/21/20]
The FY 2021 NDAA Provided $1 Billion To The Pentagon For Pandemic
Preparedness Amid COVID. According to the Hill, "The massive
$740.5 billion defense bill covers everything from authorizing a 3
percent pay raise for troops to establishing a $3.6 billion fund to
counter China in the Indo-Pacific region to setting aside $1
billion to help the Pentagon with pandemic preparedness amid the
coronavirus crisis.' [The Hill,
7/21/20]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize The National Defense Budget Of
$768.1 Billion, Including $740 Million To The Defense Department And
$28.2 Billion To The Energy Department For National Security
Programs. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the National Defense
Authorization Act For FY 2022 which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize $768.1 billion in national defense spending,
including $740 billion for the Defense Department and $28.2 billion
for national security programs within the Energy Department." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 363-70. The bill
was sent to President Biden and it ultimately became law. [House Vote
405, 12/7/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
12/7/21; Congressional Actions,
S.
1605]
The FY 2022 Defense Authorization Act Would Authorize Programs And
Spending Instructions For The Pentagon And National Security
Programs, Including Military Prosecution Changes, More Foreign Aid
To Ukraine And An Increase Of Pay To Military Members. According
to CBS News, "The House on Tuesday night approved the 2022 annual
defense bill, which authorizes programs and spending guidelines for
the Pentagon and other national security programs, includes changes
to military prosecutions, more money for Ukraine and a pay raise for
service members." [CBS News,
12/8/21]
The Bill Would Authorize $25 Billion More In Defense Spending
Than What President Biden Had Initially Requested For The Pentagon's
Budget. According to CBS News, "This year's National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes a topline funding of $768
billion for defense and national security with $740 billion
designated for the Department of Defense --- which was $25 billion
more for the Pentagon than President Biden had requested" [CBS
News,
12/8/21].]
The Bill Would Provide Funding To Track UFOs, Address Havana
Syndrome And Establish A Commission To Analyze The Afghanistan
War. According to CBS News, "Several new organizational bodies are
budgeted in this year's NDAA, including a joint office to track
unidentified aerial phenomena, or UFOs, a Pentagon 'cross functional
team' to confront Havana Syndrome and an independent Afghanistan
Commission to study the 20-year war." [CBS News,
12/8/21]
The House Removed Provisions That Would Require Women To Register
For The Draft, Repeal The Iraq War Authorization Of 2002 And Impose
Sanctions Related To The Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. According to The
New York Times, "The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a $768
billion defense policy bill after lawmakers abruptly dropped
proposals that would have required women to register for the draft,
repealed the 2002 authorization of the Iraq war and imposed
sanctions for a Russian gas pipeline, in a late-year drive to
salvage a bipartisan priority." [The New York Times,
12/7/21]
Many Progressives Were Disappointed In The Increase Of Defense
Spending After They Hoped Democratic Control Of Congress And The
White House Would Champion Cuts To Military Spending. According to
The New York Times, "The legislation, unveiled hours before the
vote, put the Democratic-led Congress on track to increase the
Pentagon's budget by roughly $24 billion above what President Biden
had requested, angering antiwar progressives who had hoped that
their party's control of the White House and both houses of Congress
would lead to cuts to military programs after decades of growth."
[The New York Times,
12/7/21]
President Biden Pledged To Counter Military Threats With
Technology And Cybersecurity Competition, Not Through Troop
Deployments On Ground Wars. According to The New York Times, "On
the heels of winding down the nation's 20-year war in Afghanistan,
Mr. Biden declared the end of an era defined by ground wars with
large troop deployments and pledged that the United States instead
would counter threats through military technology and cybersecurity
competition." [The New York Times,
12/7/21]
Many Policymakers Called For An Increase In Defense Spending Due
To New Russian And Chinese Threats. According to The New York
Times, "But citing new threats from Russia and China, lawmakers
rejected the president's request to keep military spending
essentially flat, and instead overwhelmingly called for increasing
it substantially." [The New York Times,
12/7/21]
Republicans Added A Provision To The Bill That Would Require
Service Members That Decline To Comply With The COVID Vaccine
Mandate To Receive An Honorable Discharge. According to The Hill,
"Republicans also hailed provisions of the bill that address the
Pentagon's vaccine mandate by including a provision mandating that
any service member who declines to receive the COVID-19 vaccine only
receive an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable
conditions." [The Hill,
12/7/21]
The Bill Removed A Provision That Would Establish An Office For
Countering Extremism In The Pentagon. According to The Hill, "The
compromise also leaves out legislation that would have an Office for
Countering Extremism in the Pentagon. That provision was included in
the NDAA the House passed in September." [The Hill,
12/7/21]
Many Lawmakers Claimed That The Failure To Pass This Year's
Defense Spending Would Hinder The Pentagon's Modernization Efforts
As China Grows Their Military Power. According to Defense News,
"The bill has been passed 60 years in a row, and defense lawmakers
warned that failing to clear the bill this year would stymy Pentagon
modernization efforts in the face of China's growing military
might." [Defense News,
12/7/21]
The Bill Would Prohibit States From Using Private Funding To
Deploy The National Guard To Other States, With An Exemption To
Responding To Natural Disasters. According to Politico, "The deal
also blocks states from using private funding for National Guard
deployments to other states, aside from natural disaster response.
The change comes after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem accepted a
private donation to fund a deployment of Guard troops to the
U.S.-Mexico border in Texas this year." [Politico,
12/7/21]
The House Removed Provisions That Would Limit Foreign Aid To Saudi
Arabia Due To Human Rights Violations And Ban Arms Sales To The
Saudi Government That Murdered Jamal Khashoggi. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Armed Services Committee leaders stripped
from this year's defense authorization bill every provision their
colleagues had included to limit U.S. aid to Saudi Arabia over human
rights concerns, even a proposed ban on selling weapons to the Saudi
government unit whose members killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The
provisions at issue were passed by the House or Senate Armed
Services Committee in their versions of the fiscal 2022 National
Defense Authorization Act (HR4350, S2792) but left out of the final
bill (S1605) that was negotiated by the leaders behind closed
doors." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/21]
One Of The Stripped Provisions Would Prohibit Funding For An Arms
Sale Or Transfer To The Rapid Intervention Force, In Which Seven
Members Were On The Same Group That Murdered Khashoggi. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "One of the House-approved measures
would have barred funding for the sale or transfer of certain
weapons --- including handcuffs, tasers or any sort of military
training --- to the Rapid Intervention Force, also known as the
'Tiger Squad.' Seven members of that force were on the team that
killed and dismembered Khashoggi, who was a Washington Post
columnist, in a diplomatic facility in Turkey in 2018, according to
a declassified U.S. intelligence report made public earlier this
year." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/21]
One Of The Stripped Provisions Would Sanction Khashoggi's Killers
By Prohibiting Them From Obtaining U.S. Visas. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "A second provision removed without
explanation set forth sanctions for Khashoggi's killers. That
section, which was part of the House-passed bill, would have
prohibited the 21 individuals who helped kill Khashoggi from getting
or keeping U.S. visas. And it would have required a State Department
report to Congress on any entity controlled in whole or in part by
one of the suspects. Now no such restrictions are in the offing."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/21]
Two Provisions Were Stripped From The Bill That Would Restrict
Support To Saudi Against Houthi Rebels In Yemen. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Two sections removed from the NDAA would
have restricted U.S. support for Saudi military operations against
Houthi rebels in Yemen." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/21]
Representative Mike Gallagher Of Wisconsin Championed A Provision
That Would Extend The Waiting Period For A Former Military Officer
To Serve As Secretary Of Defense To 10 Years. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The compromise NDAA includes a provision,
authored by Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher, a member of the
House Armed Services Committee and former Marine Corps captain, that
would extend the 'cooling-off period' for former military officers
to serve as Defense secretary from seven years to 10."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/7/21]
The Bill Would Extend The Waiting Period For Former Military
Officers To Serve As Service Secretaries To Seven Years. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill also would extend the
cooling-off period for former military officers to serve as a
service secretary from five years to seven." [Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $146.9 Billion To Purchase
Weapons, $27.3 Billion To Build Ships And Supporting The Attainment Of
85 Aircrafts. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the National
Defense Authorization Act For FY 2022 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize approximately $146.9 billion for
weapons and other procurement; $27.3 billion for shipbuilding; and
funding to support the procurement of 85 F-35 series tactical force
aircraft." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote
of 363-70. The bill was sent to President Biden and it ultimately became
law. [House Vote 405,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1605]
The Bill Would Prohibit The Purchase Of Items Produced In The
Xinjiang Region Of China By Forced Labor. According to The New
York Times, "In its final form, the legislation would authorize a
2.7 percent pay increase for the nation's military, call for an
independent commission to scrutinize the war in Afghanistan, and
prohibit the Pentagon from procuring items produced with forced
labor from the Xinjiang region of China, where as many as one
million Uyghurs have been detained in work camps." [The New York
Times,
12/7/21]
The Bill Would Procure More Aircrafts, Ships And Weapons Than
Requested, Including 12 Unrequested Super Hornets, Five Additional
Boeing Jets To The Requested 17, And Five More Ships To The
Requested Eight. According to Defense News, "Under the bill's
higher top line are 12 F/A-18 Super Hornets that were not requested;
five more Boeing F-15EX jets than the request for 17 total; and 13
ships total ― including two attack submarines and two destroyers ―
for five more than the request." [Defense News,
12/7/21]
Many Lawmakers Argued That The Bill Would Help The Pentagon
Replace Old Weapons And Invest In New Technologies To Counter China
And Russia. According to Politico, "On the House floor ahead of
the vote, lawmakers in both parties touted the legislation as a step
forward in shifting the military toward a focus on China and Russia
by helping the Pentagon shed aging weapons and invest in new
technologies." [Politico,
12/7/21]
The Bill Would Approve The Purchase Of 13 New Navy Ships.
According to Politico, "The final bill approves a shipbuilding
budget that would buy 13 new Navy ships, five more than the Pentagon
requested." [Politico,
12/7/21]
Lawmakers Authorized The Procurement Of The Pentagon-Requested 85
F-35 Fighters. According to Politico, "Negotiators also agreed to
procure 85 F-35 fighters, matching the Pentagon's request."
[Politico,
12/7/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $310 Million For A Hypersonic
Defense System And $75 Million To Establish A New Homeland Defense
Radar In Hawaii. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the National
Defense Authorization Act For FY 2022 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $310 million for a hypersonic
defense system and $75 million for the development of a new homeland
defense radar in Hawaii." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 363-70. The bill was sent to President Biden and it
ultimately became law. [House Vote 405,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1605]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $20.3 Billion To Maintain
Stockpile Of Nuclear Weapons. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for
the National Defense Authorization Act For FY 2022 which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $20.3 billion for the
National Nuclear Security Administration, primarily for the maintenance
of a nuclear weapons stockpile." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 363-70. The bill was sent to President
Biden and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 405,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1605]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $7.1 Billion To The Pacific
Deterrence Initiative And $4 Billion To Counter Chinese And Russian
Aggression Through The European Deterrence Initiative. In December
2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the National Defense Authorization Act For
FY 2022 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize
$7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and $4 billion for
the European Deterrence Initiative, primarily intended to counter
aggression by China and Russia, respectively." The vote was on passage.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 363-70. The bill was sent to
President Biden and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 405,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1605]
The Bill Would Provide $7.1 Billion For The Indo-Pacific
Deterrence Initiative To Counter China After The Pentagon Constantly
Called China The Defense's "Pacing Challenge." According to CBS
News, "To deter China, the bill includes $7.1 billion for the
Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative. The Pentagon has repeatedly
called China the 'pacing challenge' for the Department of Defense."
[CBS News,
12/8/21]
The Bill Instructs The President To Implement A "Grand Strategy
With Respect To China." According to CNN, "The bill directs the
President to develop a classified 'Grand Strategy with Respect to
China,' with an unclassified summary, the bill text states." [CNN,
12/8/21]
The Bill Instructs The Defense Department To Report On China's
Activities, Including Military And Security Developments, Technology
Updates To Their Military Equipment And Foreign Strategy In Latin
America And The Caribbean. According to CNN, "It also directs DoD
put together several reports on China's activities, from their
military and security developments, modernization technologies for
their military applications, to their strategy in Latin American and
the Caribbean, the bill states." [CNN,
12/8/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The FY 2022 Defense
Authorization Act. In December 2021, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res
838) that would provide for floor consideration of a legislative vehicle
for the fiscal 2022 defense authorization bill (S 1605) [...] The rule
would provide for up to one hour of general debate on each bill." The
vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a
vote of 219-213. [House Vote 403,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1605;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
838]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The FY 2022 Defense
Authorization Act. In December 2021, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 838) that would provide for floor consideration of a legislative
vehicle for the fiscal 2022 defense authorization bill (S 1605) [...]
The rule would provide for up to one hour of general debate on each
bill." The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The
House agreed to the motion by a vote of 218-210. [House Vote 402,
12/7/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/21;
Congressional Actions, S.
1605;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
838]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For The National Defense Authorization Act For
FY 2022 That Would Authorize $768.1 Billion In Defense Spending. In
September 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2022 which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize $768.1 billion in national defense spending,
including $739.8 billion for the Defense Department and $28.2 billion
for national security programs within the Energy Department. The bill
would authorize approximately $147.1 billion for weapons and other
procurement, $11.7 billion for F-35 series tactical force aircraft
procurement and maintenance and $28.4 billion for shipbuilding. It
would authorize $310 million for a hypersonic defense system and $75
million for the development of a new homeland defense radar in Hawaii.
Within Energy Department funding, it would authorize $20.3 billion for
the National Nuclear Security Administration, primarily for the
maintenance of a nuclear weapons stockpile. It would authorize $36.8
billion for the Defense Health Program, including $10 million for a
global emerging infectious surveillance program. It would authorize
$13.4 billion for military construction. It would authorize a 2.7
percent military pay increase; remove military commanders from decisions
related to the prosecution of sexual assault and other special victim
crimes; establish a Countering Extremism Office within the Defense
Department tasked with countering extremism in the armed forces; and
establish a $15 minimum wage for certain department contractors. It
would give the mayor of the District of Columbia authority over its
National Guard and establish a Space National Guard. It would authorize
the president's requests of $5.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence
Initiative and $3.7 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative,
primarily intended to counter aggression by China and Russia,
respectively. It would codify the position of assistant secretary of
Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. It would establish a
commission to examine the war in Afghanistan and 2021 withdrawal;
authorize $500 million for Defense Department relocation assistance for
Afghan evacuees; and require the department to submit a security
assessment and a number of reports related to Afghanistan. For
international assistance and cooperation, the bill would authorize $470
million for cooperative programs with Israel; $345 million for a
cooperative threat reduction program assisting former Soviet Union
countries; $325 million for the Afghan security forces; and $300
million in security assistance to Ukraine. Among other provisions, the
bill would authorize over $1 billion in cybersecurity investments and
over $1 billion for artificial intelligence-related initiatives, and
require the Homeland Security Department to establish an information
collaboration environment to share intelligence and data on
cybersecurity risks and threats. It would authorize $9 million for
applied research on neuroprotection from brain injury; eliminate
restrictions on transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay; and prohibit
federal banking regulators from penalizing financial service
institutions for serving state-legal marijuana-related businesses." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 316-113.
[House Vote 293,
9/23/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/23/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4350]
The FY 2022 National Defense Appropriations Would Direct Changes
To Handling Vehicle Safety By Requiring The Pentagon To Implement
Recommendations, Create A Department-Wide "Safety Council," And
Change The Administration Of "Vehicle Accident Investigations."
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The defense policy bill the
House passed last week would make sweeping changes to how the
Defense Department handles vehicle safety. Included in the mammoth,
$768 billion fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act
(HR 4350) are four provisions and one amendment that would direct
the Pentagon to implement changes recommended by Congress, create a
DOD-wide safety council and change the way the department handles
vehicle accident investigations." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/21]
The Measure Would Provide Appropriations To Aid Africa, Including
$72 Million For Army Programs And $52 Million For Security
Cooperation Programs. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"appropriators subsequently added $72 million for Army programs in
Africa and $52 million for security cooperation programs in U.S.
Africa Command." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/21]
The Measure Would Provide A Basic Needs Allowance To Help Military
Members By Instructing That "One Servicemember Per Family Receive An
Allowance Equal To The Difference Between The Servicemember's Salary
And 130 Percent Of The Poverty Line For That Member's Region And
Family Size." According to Congressional Quarterly, "The National
Defense Authorization Act passed by the House (HR 4350) last week,
as well as the version (S 2792) awaiting a Senate vote, would
require that one servicemember per family receive an allowance equal
to the difference between the servicemember's salary and 130 percent
of the poverty line for that member's region and family size."
[Congressional Quarterly,
9/29/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Reduce Defense
Spending By $23.96 Billion For FY 2022 And Transfer No Less Than $1.6
Billion To The Treasury General Fund. In September 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2022 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"reduce amounts authorized for defense spending in fiscal 2022 by
$23.96 billion and require the Defense Department to transfer, from
amounts made available for fiscal 2022, no less than $1.6 billion to
the general fund of the Treasury." The vote was on adoption of an
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 142-286.
[House Vote 285,
9/23/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/23/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
120;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4350]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Reduce Defense
Spending By 10 Percent, With Exceptions To Military Personnel, Federal
Civilian Workforce, And Health Program Accounts Funding. In September
2021, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "reduce the overall funding authorization level
by 10 percent, other than funding for military personnel, the Defense
Department federal civilian workforce, and defense health program
accounts." The vote was on adoption of an amendment. The House rejected
the amendment by a vote of 86-332. [House Vote 284,
9/23/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/23/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
119;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4350]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Package,
Which Provided $797.7 Billion For The Department Of Defense. In
December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
to concur with the Senate amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2023, which would "provide approximately $25.5 billion for the
Agriculture Department and related agencies; $82.4 billion for the
Commerce and Justice departments and science and related agencies;
$797.7 billion for the Defense Department; $54 billion for the Energy
Department and federal water projects; $27.6 billion for the Treasury
Department, federal judiciary and a number of executive agencies; $60.7
billion for the Homeland Security Department; $38.9 billion for the
Interior Department, EPA and related agencies; $207.4 billion for the
Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments and related
agencies; $6.9 billion for legislative branch entities; $154.2 billion
for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related
agencies; $59.7 billion for the State Department and related agencies;
and $87.3 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban
Development departments and related agencies." The vote was on a motion
to concur. The House concurred with the Senate amendment by a vote of
225-201, thus bill was sent to President Biden and ultimately became
law. [House Vote 549,
12/23/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/23/22;
Congressional Actions, S.Amdt.
6552;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2617]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Defense Authorization Act For FY 2023,
Which Authorized $847.3 Billion In National Defense Spending, Including
$816.7 Billion For The Department Of Defense And $30.3 Billion For
National Security Programs In The Energy Department. In December 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the James M.
Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which
would, in part, "authorize $847.3 billion in national defense spending,
including $816.7 billion for the Defense Department and $30.3 billion
for national security programs within the Energy Department, along with
a range of defense and nondefense policy provisions. It would authorize
approximately $163.1 billion for weapons and other procurement and
$138.9 billion for military research and development. Within these
totals, it would authorize $32.6 billion for shipbuilding; funding for
the procurement of 69 new F-35 series tactical force aircraft; $3.6
billion for the new Ground Based Strategic Deterrent missile system; and
over $20 billion for missile defense programs, including $518 million
for a hypersonic missile defense system, $398 million for Guam missile
defense systems and $160 million for Israeli missile defense systems."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 350-80,
thus the bill was sent to the Senate for final concurrence. The Senate
concurred with the House, sent the final bill to President Biden, and it
ultimately became law. [House Vote 516,
12/8/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1512;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7776]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Authorized $22.3 Billion For
The National Nuclear Security Administration. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Within Energy Department funding, it would
authorize $22.3 billion for the National Nuclear Security
Administration, primarily for the maintenance of a nuclear weapons
stockpile." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Authorized $36.9 Billion For
The Defense Health Program And $19.5 Billion For Military
Construction. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would
authorize $36.9 billion for the Defense Health Program and $19.5
billion for military construction." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
To Counter Chinese And Russian Aggression, The FY 2023 Defense
Spending Bill Authorized $11.54 Billion For The Pacific Deterrence
And $6 Billion For The European Deterrence Initiative. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "It would authorize more than $11.5
billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and $6 billion for
the European Deterrence Initiative, primarily intended to counter
aggression by China and Russia, respectively." [Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/22]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Authorized $10 Billion For
Military Grants To Taiwan For Five Years, $800 Million To Support
Ukraine, $503 Million To Combat The Islamic State Group In Syria
And Iraq, $446 Million For The U.S. Africa Command, $354 Million
To Assist Former Soviet Union Nations, And $400 Million For
Research And Development With Israel. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "For international assistance and cooperation, it would
authorize up to $10 billion for military grants to Taiwan over five
years; $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine; $503
million for forces in Syria and Iraq combating the Islamic State
group; $446 million for the U.S. Africa Command; $354 million for
a cooperative threat reduction program assisting former Soviet Union
countries; and $300 million for cooperative research and
development programs with Israel." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Authorized $1.2 Billion For The
Defense Department's Environmental Restoration Fund And Instruct
Military Environmental Clean Up Activities. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Among other defense policy provisions, it
would authorize $1.2 billion for the Defense Department
environmental restoration fund and require various military
environmental cleanup activities;" [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Established A Defense Department
Center To Evaluate And Address Civilian Harm That Resulted From
American Military Force And Established A Fellowship Specialized On
Irregular Warfare. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"establish a DOD center to study and address civilian harm resulting
from U.S. use of military force and a center and fellowship focused
on irregular warfare;" [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Authorized $28.1 Billion For
The Coast Guard And Reauthorized Several Programs At The National
Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It would authorize $28.1 billion for the Coast Guard;
reauthorize a range of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration programs;" [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill Reauthorized State Department
Activities And Made Several Organizational And Personnel Changes.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would reauthorize State
Department activities and make a number of organizational and
personnel changes at the department." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/22]
With The FY 2023 Defense Spending Bill, Congress Will Have
Authorized $858 Billion In Defense Spending For FY 2023, Which Was
5%, Or $45 Billion, More Than What The Biden Administration
Requested. According to Congressional Quarterly, "With enactment
of the bill, Washington will have authorized spending about $858
billion on defense programs in this fiscal year, mostly at the
Pentagon. That is $45 billion, or 5 percent, more than Biden asked
for in March." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/15/22]
According To The Congressional Budget Office, The Total Amount Of
Defense Spending Authorized Was 10% Higher Than The FY 2022 Level.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The total amount of
authorized funding would be about 10 percent higher than the fiscal
2022 level, according to the Congressional Budget Office."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/15/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $839.3 Billion In National
Defense Spending For FY 2023, Including $808.4 Billion For The Defense
Department And $30.5 Billion For The Energy Department's National
Security Programs. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2023, which would "authorize $839.3 billion in national defense
spending, including $808.4 billion for the Defense Department and
$30.5 billion for national security programs within the Energy
Department." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote 329-101, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not
take substantive action on the legislation. The FY 2023 Defense
Authorization was passed with H.R. 7776. [House Vote 350,
7/14/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/14/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900]
The Bill Would Authorize $160.2 Billion For The Procurement Of
Weapons And $138.6 Billion For Military Research And Development.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would authorize
approximately $160.2 billion for weapons and other procurement and
$138.6 billion for military research and development."
[Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/22]
Within The Total Funds To The Defense Department, The Money Would
Be Used For Shipbuilding, Procurement Of Aircraft, The New Ground
Based Strategic Deterrent Missile System, And Missile Defense
Programs, Including A Hypersonic Missile System, Guam Missile
Defense Systems, And Israeli Missile Defense Systems. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Within these totals, it would authorize
$32.7 billion for shipbuilding; funding for the procurement of 64
new F-35 series tactical force aircraft; $3.6 billion for the new
Ground Based Strategic Deterrent missile system; and approximately
$21 billion for missile defense programs, including $543 million
for a hypersonic missile defense system, $398 million for Guam
missile defense systems and $180 million for Israeli missile
defense systems." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/22]
Within The Total Funds To The Energy Department, $22.1 Billion
Would Be Authorized For The National Nuclear Security Administration
For Nuclear Weapon Stockpile Maintenance. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Within Energy Department funding, it would
authorize $22.1 billion for the National Nuclear Security
Administration, primarily for the maintenance of a nuclear weapons
stockpile." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/22]
The Bill Would Authorize $37.1 Billion For The Defense Health
Program And $16.5 For Military Construction. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It would authorize $37.1 billion for the
Defense Health Program and $16.5 billion for military
construction." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/22]
The Bill Would Create A Commission And Defenses Department Center
To Analyze And Address Civilian Harm Caused By The Use Of Force By
The U.S. Military. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would
establish a commission and Defense Department center to study and
address civilian harm resulting from or incidental to the use of
force by U.S. armed forces." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/22]
The Bill Included Several Provisions That Would Support
Cybersecurity And Artificial Intelligence At The Department Of
Defense. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would include
various provisions to support cybersecurity and artificial
intelligence initiatives at the Defense Department." [Congressional
Quarterly, 7/14/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize Over $6 Billion For The Pacific
Deterrence Initiative And $4 Billion For The European Deterrence
Initiative, Which Primarily Counters Chinese And Russian Aggression.
In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which
would "authorize more than $6 billion for the Pacific Deterrence
Initiative and $4 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative,
primarily intended to counter aggression by China and Russia,
respectively." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote 329-101, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate did not
take substantive action on the legislation. The FY 2023 Defense
Authorization was passed with H.R. 7776. [House Vote 350,
7/14/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/14/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $1 Billion To Ukraine For
Security Assistance, $544 Billion For The U.S. Africa Command, $542
Million For Syrian And Iraqi Forces Combatting The Islamic State, $342
For A Cooperative Threat Reduction Program Helping Former Soviet
Countries, $300 Million For Cooperative Research And Development
Programs With Israel, And $225 Million For The Baltic Security
Initiative. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2023, which "For international assistance and cooperation, it would
authorize $1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine; $544 million
for the U.S. Africa Command; $542 million for forces in Syria and Iraq
combating the Islamic State; $342 million for a cooperative threat
reduction program assisting former Soviet Union countries; $300 million
for cooperative research and development programs with Israel; and $225
million for the Baltic Security Initiative." The vote was on passage.
The House passed the bill by a vote 329-101, thus the bill was sent to
the Senate. The Senate did not take substantive action on the
legislation. The FY 2023 Defense Authorization was passed with H.R.
7776. [House Vote 350,
7/14/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/14/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Reduced
Defense Spending FY 2023 By $36.987 Billion To Reduce The Increases
Made To President Biden's Defense Spending Request For FY 2023. In
July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2023, which would "reduce the bill's authorization by
$36.987 billion to reverse increases made at the House Armed Services
Committee markup above the president's fiscal 2023 request and
restoring the fiscal 2023 topline to the amount requested by the
president." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote 151-277. [House Vote 317,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
254;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Reduced
Defense Spending FY 2023 To FY 2022 Levels And Reduced An Additional
$100 Billion, While Maintaining Funding For Military Personnel,
Civilian Pay And Benefits, And Defense Health Program At FY 2022
Levels. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which would "reduce the bill's
topline authorization to be the aggregate amount provided in the fiscal
2022 defense authorization bill reduced by $100 billion, while
specifying that funding for military personnel, civilian pay and
benefits, and the Defense Health Program would remain at fiscal 2022
amounts." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote 78-350. [House Vote 316,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
253;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The National Defense
Authorization Act For FY 2023. In July 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the
rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of the
Active Shooter Alert Act (HR 6538), the veterans' toxic exposure
benefits bill (S 3373), the fiscal 2023 defense authorization bill (HR
7900), the Women's Health Protection Act (HR 8296), and the Ensuring
Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (HR 8297)." The vote was on
the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote 217-204.
[House Vote 304,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1224]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The National Defense
Authorization Act For FY 2023. In July 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order
the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment)
on the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House consideration of
the Active Shooter Alert Act (HR 6538), the veterans' toxic exposure
benefits bill (S 3373), the fiscal 2023 defense authorization bill (HR
7900), the Women's Health Protection Act (HR 8296), and the Ensuring
Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act (HR 8297)." The vote was on a
motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by
a vote 218-208. [House Vote 303,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7900;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1224]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Agree To The Conference Report Of The
National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2024, Which Would
Authorize $874.2 Billion In National Defense Spending And Grant $32.4
Billion To The Energy Department For National Security Programs. In
December 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the "motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report
to accompany the bill that would authorize $874.2 billion in
discretionary national defense spending, including $841.5 billion for
the Defense Department and $32.4 billion for national security programs
within the Energy Department. It would also provide $23.2 billion in
mandatory defense spending. The bill would authorize approximately
$169.2 billion for weapons and other procurement and $145.9 billion
for military research and development. Within these totals, it would
authorize $32.9 billion for Navy shipbuilding and conversion; $19.6
billion for Air Force aircraft procurement; $18 billion for Navy
aircraft procurement; $539 million for the Ground Based Strategic
Deterrent ballistic missile system; $564 million for the Missile
Defense Agency; and $382 million for the hypersonic attack cruise
missile. It would authorize $545 million for continued development of
Guam missile defense systems, $80 million for procurement for the
Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system and $4.2 billion for Space
Force procurement. Within Energy Department funding, it would authorize
$24 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, primarily
for the maintenance of a nuclear weapons stockpile. It would authorize
$38.3 billion for the Defense Health Program and $18.2 billion for
military construction. It would authorize $14.7 billion for the Pacific
Deterrence Initiative and $3.6 billion for the European Deterrence
Initiative, primarily intended to counter aggression by China and
Russia, respectively. For international assistance and cooperation, it
would authorize $300 million in security assistance to Ukraine; $409
million for the U.S. European Command, $565 million for the U.S. Africa
Command; $398 million for forces in Syria and Iraq combating the
Islamic State group; $351 million for the Cooperative Threat Reduction
program assisting former Soviet Union countries; and $300 million for
cooperative research and development programs with Israel. The bill
would authorize a 5.2 percent military pay increase. It would authorize
$7 billion for the Energy Department environmental restoration fund and
require the department to undertake various environmental cleanup
activities. Among its policy provisions, it would temporarily extend,
through April 19, 2024, provisions of the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act that allow the U.S. government to collect
communications on foreigners outside the U.S.; implement a personnel
grade cap of GS-10 for diversity, equity and inclusion positions within
the Defense Department; prohibit the creation of new DEI positions in
the Defense Department; provide for congressional appointment and
removal of the architect of the Capitol; and prohibit the use of funds
for any activities involving unidentified anomalous phenomena unless the
Defense Department has provided details of such activities to Congress.
It would also require the National Archives to establish a UAP records
collection, require each government agency to transmit relevant UAP
documents to the collection, and require periodic review of such records
for public disclosure. The measure is now cleared for the president."
The vote was on the motion to agree to the conference report. The House
agreed to the motion by a vote of 310 to 118. The President signed the
bill into law. [House Vote 723,
12/14/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For $300 Million In Supplemental Assistance
To Ukraine. In September 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for "passage of the bill that would provide $300
million in supplemental funding for security assistance to Ukraine in
fiscal 2024." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 311 to 117, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote
503, 9/28/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
5692]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2024 Defense Appropriations. In
September 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for "Passage of the bill, as amended, that would provide $826.4 billion
in discretionary defense spending for fiscal 2024. It includes $293.1
billion for operation and maintenance activities, $165.1 billion for
weapons and other procurement, $146.8 billion for military research and
development and $177.9 billion for military personnel. It would provide
approximately $9 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and $4
billion for the European Deterrence Initiative, primarily intended to
counter aggression by China and Russia, respectively. It would also
provide $500 million for cooperative missile defense programs with
Israel. The bill would provide approximately $30 billion for missile
defense programs, $40.7 billion for military aircraft, $32.9 billion
for shipbuilding, $1.2 billion for drug interdiction and counterdrug
activities and $39.4 billion for defense health care programs. It would
provide $9.6 billion for the procurement of 86 F-35 Joint Strike
Fighters. Among other provisions, the bill would provide funding for a
5.2 percent military pay increase and prohibit the use of funds for
construction on any Space Command facilities until a final basing
decision for the headquarters is delivered to Congress. Upon adoption of
the rule (H Res 730), $300 million in security assistance to Ukraine
was removed from the bill. As amended, the bill would prohibit the use
of funds to deploy U.S. troops to Ukraine, reduce Defense Secretary
Lloyd Austin's salary to $1, prohibit the use of funds to require
armed forces servicemembers or civilian Defense Department employees to
get a COVID-19 vaccine and prohibit the use of funds to enforce any
COVID-19 mask mandates." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 218 to 210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate.
[House Vote 502,
9/28/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/28/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
Three Previous Votes To Allow For Floor Consideration Of The Bill
Failed. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House voted
218-210 to pass the $826.1 billion package (HR 4365) of military
and intelligence money after having fallen short three times earlier
to even start floor debate on the measure --- and as the specter of
a government shutdown loomed." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23]
Speaker McCarthy Removed $300 Million In Funds To Assist
Ukrainian Forces From The Bill To Gain Conservative Support Needed
To Pass The Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill
only squeaked over the finish line Thursday as the result of a
decision by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to pull from the
measure $300 million for training and equipping Ukrainian forces.
Several ultraconservative Republicans had said the subtraction of
the funding for Ukraine's war effort was necessary to earn their
swing votes for final passage." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23]
The Bill Prohibited The Use Of Funds For Diversity, Equity, And
Inclusion Offices. According to Congressional Quarterly, "the
House adopted amendments that would prevent the Pentagon from using
fiscal 2024 dollars for any diversity, equity or inclusion office."
[Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23]
The Bill Prohibited The Use Of Funds To Implement Executive Orders
By President Biden Regarding The Climate. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "the House adopted amendments that would
[...] bar the implementation of the Biden administration's climate
change-related executive orders." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23]
The Bill Prohibited The Reinstatement Of Vaccine Requirements In
The Military. According to Congressional Quarterly, "the House
adopted amendments that would [...] prevent the military from
reinstating any COVID-19 vaccine requirements after an earlier
mandate was officially rescinded in January 2023." [Congressional
Quarterly, 9/28/23]
The Bill Reduced The Salary Of The Defense Secretary To $1.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House even adopted on
Wednesday a proposal to cut the annual salary of Defense Secretary
Lloyd J. Austin III to $1." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23]
The Bill Prohibited Gender-Affirming Care Under The Exceptional
Family Member Program. According to the House Committee On Rules,
the bill "prohibit[ed] the provision of gender transition
procedures, including surgery or medication, through the Exceptional
Family Member Program." [House Committee On Rules, Accessed on
12/05/23]
The Bill Prohibited The Use Of Funds To House Migrants That
Entered Through The Southern Border In Military Installations.
According to the House Committee On Rules, the bill "Prevent[ed]
funds in this act to be used to house migrants on military
installations who entered this country through our open southern
border." [House Committee On Rules, Accessed on
12/05/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The FY 2024 Defense
Appropriations. In September 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to recommit the bill to
the House Appropriations Committee." The vote was on the motion to
recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 210 to 218. [House
Vote 501, 9/28/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/23; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting The Use Of Funds By The
Defense Department To Observe Pride Month. In September 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against
"amendment no. 175 that would prohibit the use of funds for the Defense
Department or Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute to observe
Pride month as specified in the DOD's Cultural Observances and
Awareness Events List and authorized by the undersecretary of Defense
for Personnel and Readiness." The vote was on the amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 202 to 231. [House Vote 441,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting The Use Of Funds For
Reporting Requirements Of Unfunded Defense Priorities. In September
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against
"amendment no. 166 that would prohibit the use of funds to carry out
certain reporting requirements related to unfunded defense priorities."
The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a
vote of 176 to 258. [House Vote 440,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Using Funds To Transfer
Cluster Munitions. In September 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against "amendment no. 161 that would
prohibit the use of funds to transfer cluster munitions, including to
Ukraine." The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the
amendment by a vote of 160 to 269. [House Vote 439,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Using Funds To Provide
Security Assistance To Ukraine. In September 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against "amendment no. 160
that would bar the use of funds under the bill to provide security
assistance to Ukraine." The vote was on the amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 93 to 339. [House Vote 438,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit Using Funds In A Way That Violates
Existing Defense Department Legal Requirements. In September 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for "amendment
no. 156 that would prohibit the use of funds in any way that violates
existing legal requirements for Defense Department total force
management." The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the
amendment by a vote of 215 to 218. [House Vote 437,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Using Funds For A Naming
Commission To Remove Names, Symbols, And Monuments That Honor Or
Commemorate The Confederacy. In September 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against "amendment no. 155
that would prohibit the use of funds for a naming commission to carry
out an existing legal requirement for the Defense Department to remove
from its assets any names, symbols, monuments and other displays that
honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America." The vote was on
the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 172 to 261.
[House Vote 436,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Reducing The Salary Of The Defense
Department Director Of Diversity And Inclusion Management To $1. In
September 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against "amendment no. 153 that would reduce to $1 the salary of Norvel
Dillard, director of Diversity and Inclusion Management at the Defense
Department Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion." The vote was on
the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 184 to 248.
[House Vote 435,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Reducing The Salary Of The Assistant
Defense Secretary For Readiness To $1. In September 2023, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against "amendment no. 152
that would reduce Assistant Defense Secretary for Readiness Shawn
Skelly's salary to $1." The vote was on the amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 150 to 282. [House Vote 434,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit Using Funds To Classify
Communications As Misinformation Or To Partner With Organizations That
Recommend Censoring Protected Speech. In September 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against amendment no. 151
that would strike from the bill a prohibition on the use of funds to
classify communications of any U.S. person as misinformation or partner
with an organization that recommends that pressures or recommends
censoring constitutionally protected speech." The vote was on the
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 203 to 231.
[House Vote 433,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Reducing Funding For The Ukraine
Security Assistance Initiative By $300 Million. In September 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against
"amendment no. 149 that would decrease by $300 million funding for
Defense Department-wide operation and maintenance to be used for the
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and transfer the savings to the
spending reduction account." The vote was on the amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 104 to 330. [House Vote 432,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Reduce Defense Department Funding By $50
Million And Reallocate Those Funds To Defense Production Act
Purchases. In September 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for "amendment no. 34 that would reduce by $50
million funding for Defense Department-wide operation and maintenance
and increase by the same amount funding for Defense Production Act
purchases, intended to fund the advanced defense capabilities pilot
program." The vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment
by a vote of 240 to 191. [House Vote 431,
9/27/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/27/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4365]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The FY2024 Department Of
Defense Appropriations Act. In September 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the
previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on
the rule (H Res 712) that would provide for floor consideration of the
Department of Defense Appropriations Act (HR 4365)." The motion was on
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 212
to 216. [House Vote 403,
9/21/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/21/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
712]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The FY2024 Department Of
Defense Appropriations Act. In September 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the
previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on
the rule (H Res 712) that would provide for floor consideration of the
Department of Defense Appropriations Act (HR 4365)." The motion was on
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 216
to 202. [House Vote 402,
9/21/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/21/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
712]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Department Of Defense
Appropriations Act. In September 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 680)
that would provide for floor consideration of the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act (HR 4365). The rule would provide for up to one hour
of general debate and make in order 184 amendments to the bill." The
vote was on adoption of the rule. The House rejected the motion by a
vote of 212 to 214. [House Vote 398,
9/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4635;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
680]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Department Of Defense
Appropriations Act. In September 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 680) that would provide for floor consideration of the Department
of Defense Appropriations Act (HR 4365)." The vote was on a motion to
order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of
217 to 209. [House Vote 397,
9/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4635;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
680]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Close Portions Of The Conference Between
Both Chambers On The FY 2024 NDAA. In September 2023, Fitzpatrick
voted for a motion to, according to Congressional Quarterly, "close
portions of the conference on the Fiscal 2024 Defense Authorization bill
(HR 2670)." The vote was on a motion to close portions of the
conference. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 401 to 19.
[House Vote 396,
9/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Senate Amendment To
The FY 2024 NDAA. In September 2023, Fitzpatrick effectively voted for
disagreeing to the Senate amendment to the FY 2024 NDAA. According to
Congressional Quarterly, the motion would mean that the House "disagree
with the Senate amendment to the bill and request a conference with the
Senate." The vote was on a motion to request a conference. The House
agreed to the motion by a vote of 393 to 27. [House Vote 395,
9/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $847.2 Billion In National
Defense Spending For FY 2024, Including $841.5 Billion For The
Department Of Defense And $32.2 Billion For National Security Programs
Within The Energy Department. In July 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2024, which would "authorize $874.2 billion in national
defense spending, including $841.5 billion for the Defense Department
and $32.2 billion for national security programs within the Energy
Department. The bill would authorize approximately $168.6 billion for
weapons and other procurement and $145.2 billion for military research
and development. Within these totals, it would authorize $32.3 billion
for shipbuilding; $13.2 billion for Air Force procurement of 83 new
F-35 series tactical force aircraft; $17.4 billion for 92 Navy
aircraft; $539 million for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent
ballistic missile system; and approximately $30 billion for missile
defense programs, including $434 million for a hypersonic missile
defense system, $498 million for continued development of Guam missile
defense systems, $160 million for Israeli missile defense systems and
$2.6 billion for a Space Force defendable missile warning satellite
system. Within Energy Department funding, it would authorize $23.9
billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, primarily for
the maintenance of a nuclear weapons stockpile. It would authorize
$38.2 billion for the Defense Health Program and $17.5 billion for
military construction. It would authorize $9.7 billion for the Pacific
Deterrence Initiative and $3.6 billion for the European Deterrence
Initiative, primarily intended to counter aggression by China and
Russia, respectively. For international assistance and cooperation, it
would authorize $4 billion to bolster U.S. and allied forces in Europe
against Russian aggression, including $300 million in security
assistance to Ukraine; $565 million for the U.S. Africa Command; $398
million for forces in Syria and Iraq combating the Islamic State group;
$336 million for a cooperative threat reduction program assisting
former Soviet Union countries; $300 million for cooperative research
and development programs with Israel; and $210 million for the Baltic
Security Initiative. " The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 219 to 210, thus the bill was sent to the Senate.
[House Vote 328,
7/14/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/14/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
The FY 2024 Defense Spending Bill Would Establish A Special
Inspector General For Ukraine Aid And Instruct The Defense
Department To Increase Energy Resiliency For Every Main Base In The
U.S. European Command Zone. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"The bill would establish a special inspector general for Ukraine
assistance and require the Defense Department to make plans to
increase the energy resiliency of each main operating base in the
U.S. European Command zone." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/23]
The FY 2024 Defense Spending Bill Would Authorize $1.1 Billion
For The DoD Environmental Restoration Fund And Instruct The DoD To
Undertake Several Environmental Cleanup Activities. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It would authorize $1.1 billion for the
Defense Department environmental restoration fund and require the
department to undertake various environmental cleanup activities."
[Congressional Quarterly,
7/14/23]
The FY 2024 NDAA Would Authorize $886 Billion In Defense
Spending. According to Reuters, "The fiscal 2024 National Defense
Authorization Act, or NDAA, which sets policy for the Pentagon and
authorizes $886 billion in spending, was approved 219-210."
[Reuters,
7/14/23]
The FY 2024 NDAA Would Include A Salary Increase For Military
Members, Initiatives To Counter China And An Extra $300 Million In
Ukraine Aid. According to Reuters, "The House measure includes a
pay raise for members of the military, initiatives to counter China
and an additional $300 million to support Ukraine as it responds to
the February 2021 invasion by Russia." [Reuters,
7/14/23]
The FY 2024 NDAA Would Also Bar The Defense Department From Paying
For Gender-Affirming Surgeries And Hormone Treatment. According to
Reuters, "The House also voted 222-211 to prohibit the Pentagon from
paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatment."
[Reuters,
7/14/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Allowed
For A Decrease In Total Number Of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
Deployed In The U.S. In July 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would "strike
language to prohibit the reduction of the total number of
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles deployed in the U.S." The vote was
on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a
vote of 160 to 266. [House Vote 299,
7/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
231]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Allowed
Defense FY 2024 Funding To Go Towards Retiring The B83-1 Nuclear Gravity
Bombs. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick
voted against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2024, which would "strike a provision that would bar the use
of funds authorized by the bill or otherwise made available in fiscal
2024 or any year thereafter to retire the B83-1 nuclear gravity bombs to
sustain such bombs." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The
House rejected the amendment by a vote of 198 to 217. [House Vote 298,
7/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
230]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The National Defense
Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2024. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the
second rule (H Res 583) that would provide for floor consideration of
the fiscal 2024 Defense Authorization Act (HR 2670). The rule would make
in order 80 additional amendments to HR 2670 and would not provide for
any additional time for general debate on the bill." The vote was on the
adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 220 to
208. [House Vote 296,
7/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
583;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The National Defense
Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2024. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the
previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) the
second rule (H Res 583) that would provide for floor consideration of
the Fiscal 2024 Defense Authorization Act (HR 2670)." The vote was on a
motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by
a vote of 214 to 207. [House Vote 295, 7/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
583;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The National Defense
Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2024. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the
first rule (H Res 582), as amended, that would provide for floor
consideration of the Fiscal 2024 Defense Authorization Act (HR 2670).
The rule would provide for up to one hour of general debate on HR 2670
and make in order 289 amendments to the bill. The rule would specify
that once amendment debate concludes no further consideration of the
bill would be in order, except pursuant to a subsequent order of the
House. It would provide for the automatic adoption of the Rogers,
R-Ala., manager's amendment that would make several technical
corrections to the bill and add a requirement for the Defense
Department, beginning in January 2024, to provide quarterly briefings to
Congress on its implementation of a pilot program to hire special needs
inclusion coordinators at child development centers." The vote was on
the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 217 to
207. [House Vote 294,
7/12/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/12/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
582;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The National Defense
Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2024. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the
previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on
the Cole, R-Okla., amendment no. 1 to the first rule (H Res 582) that
would provide for floor consideration of the Fiscal 2024 Defense
Authorization Act (HR 2670), and on H Res 582." The vote was on a motion
to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote
of 215 to 201. [House Vote 292,
7/12/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/12/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
582;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2670]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted For The 883.7 Billion FY 2025 Defense
Authorization That Included Raises For Servicemembers And Increased
Funding For Housing. In December 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "the Senate amendment to the bill
with a further House amendment containing the fiscal 2025 defense
authorization legislative package. It would authorize $883.7 billion in
discretionary defense spending for fiscal 2025. It also would authorize
a 4.5 percent increase in military basic pay for all military personnel
and provide for an additional 10 percent raise for junior enlisted
servicemembers (E1-E4). It also would authorize increased funding for
housing construction and maintenance." The House passed the bill by a
vote of 281 to 140. [House Vote 500,
12/11/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/11/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5009]
The Bill Waived Referral Requirements And Banned Gender-Affirming
Care For Minors Under Military Health Care. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It also would provide for increased
compensation for Defense Department medical providers and waive
referral requirements under military health care (TRICARE). It also
would ban TRICARE coverage for gender-affirming care for minors."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/11/24]
The Bill Funded New Child Care Centers And Fee Assistance
Programs. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would
authorize funds for the design and construction of new child care
centers and fully fund child care fee assistance programs."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/11/24]
The Bill Included $3.6 Billion For Defense Department Schools.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would authorize $3.6
billion for Defense Department-dependent schools, including more
than $110 million for the construction of new schools for the
children of servicemembers." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/11/24]
The Bill Transferred Space Functions Currently Under The Air
national Guard To The Space Force. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It also would allow the Space Force to take on space
functions currently covered by the Air National Guard and, with the
consent of servicemembers, transfer those working on the space
functions into the Space Force without the consent of the governor
overseeing their National Guard unit." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/11/24]
The Bill Extended Restrictions On Closing Guantanamo Bay.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The measure would extend
restrictions on closing the U.S. military-run detention center at
the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on moving
detainees from that facility stateside or to certain foreign
countries." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/11/24]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2025 Defense Appropriations. In
June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly,
"the bill, as amended, that would that would provide $833.1 billion in
net discretionary defense spending for fiscal 2025. The bill would
provide $294.2 billion for operations and maintenance activities,
$165.3 billion for weapons and other procurement, $146 billion for
military research and development, $41.2 billion for the Defense Health
Program and $183.7 billion for military personnel, including a 4.5
percent pay raise for all military personnel, along with an additional
15 percent pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers. The bill
would provide $500 million for Israeli cooperative programs, including
$110 million for the Iron Dome missile defense system. It also would
allocate $1.9 billion for prior year shipbuilding increases." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the FY 2025 Defense Appropriations by a
vote of 217 to 198. [House Vote 331,
6/28/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/28/24; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
8774]
The Bill Prohibited Bans On Critical Race Theory, Mask Mandates,
And Classified Remote Work For Defense Employees. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "[the bill] also would prohibit the use
of funds to [...] enforce certain COVID-19 mandates, or promote
critical race theory. As amended, it would prohibit the use of funds
provided by the bill for classified telework or remote work for
Defense Department employees." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/28/24]
The Bill Included Various Other "Culture War" Provisions,
Including Bans On Reimbursement For Travel Costs For Reproductive
And Abortion Care For Servicemembers, Advocating Diversity, Paying
For Transgender Health Care, Protecting Military Facilities Against
Climate Change, Implementation Of An Executive Order Promoting Voter
Access, And Implementation Of A Rule Requiring Federal Contractors
To Disclose Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The House voted 217-198 on
Friday morning to pass an $833.1 billion fiscal 2025 Defense
appropriations bill laced with GOP-written provisions that have
sparked partisan rows. Those include recurring legislative
provisions to bar funds for reimbursing expenses incurred by
military personnel who need to travel to obtain abortions and
cutbacks to programs for advocating diversity, bankrolling
transgender health care and bolstering military facilities against
climate change --- to name a few. [...] The House adopted,
201-187, an amendment that would bar funding to implement an
executive order relating to promotion of access to voting. And the
House voted 211-199 to adopt an amendment that would prohibit the
use of funds to implement a regulation requiring federal contractors
to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial
risks." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/28/24]
The Bill Prohibited Waiving The Requirement Of China To Meet
Conditions For Participation In Rim Of The Pacific Naval Exercises
If It Was In The Interest Of U.S. National Security. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It also would prohibit the use of funds
under the bill to enforce a provision of the Fiscal 2019 defense
authorization law that allows the Defense secretary to waive the
requirement to certify that China has met the conditions for
participation in Rim of the Pacific naval exercises if such waiver
is in the interest of U.S. national security." [Congressional
Quarterly, 6/28/24]
The Bill Prohibited The Transfer Or Release Of Guantanamo Bay
Detainees. According to Congressional Quarterly, "[the bill]
would prohibit funds under the bill [...] to transfer or release
detainees at Guantanamo Bay." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/28/24]
The Bill Prohibited The Transfer Of Funds To The Wuhan Institute
Of Virology. According to Congressional Quarterly, "[the bill]
would prohibit funds under the bill from being transferred to the
Wuhan Institute of Virology." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/28/24]
The Bill Shifted Combatant Command Responsibility For Mexico To
The U.S. Southern Command. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Among its policy provisions, [the bill] would shift combatant
command responsibility for Mexico to the U.S. Southern Command
within 180 days of the bill's enactment." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/28/24]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Recommitting The FY 2025 Defense
Appropriations. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted against , according to
Congressional Quarterly, the "motion to recommit the bill to the House
Appropriations Committee." The vote was on the motion to recommit. The
underlying legislation was the FY 2025 Defense Appropriations. The House
rejected the motion by a vote of 202 to 211. [House Vote 330,
6/28/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/28/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8774]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization
Act Which Authorized $883.7 Billion, Including Personnel Raises And
Reductions In Procurement Funding As Well As Prohibitions On The
Dismantling Of Nuclear Bombs Or The Reduction In ICBMs With Nuclear
Warheads. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would authorize
$883.7 billion in total defense spending for fiscal 2025. The bill
would authorize a 4.5 percent increase in military basic pay and
recommend an additional 15 percent raise for junior enlisted personnel
(E1-E4); authorize the Pentagon to reimburse servicemembers for all
their off base housing costs; and require the basic needs allowance to
ensure no servicemember's salary drops below 200 percent of the federal
poverty line. On procurement issues, the bill would reduce the requested
68 F-35 fighter jets to 58, netting about $1 billion in savings. That
money would be redirected to efforts to address deficiencies in the
aircraft and its support systems. The measure would prohibit the
dismantling of B83-1 nuclear bombs and would bar any reduction in the
number of intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. It
also would bar retirements of F-15E fighter jets, pending submission of
a study on aircraft requirements. The bill would authorize the end
strengths for active and reserve armed services and $17.5 billion for
military construction and housing projects.[...] The measure also
would extend through fiscal 2025 the authorization for the Pacific
Deterrence Initiative, which is a program to consolidate and focus U.S.
military efforts to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 217 to 199, thus,
it was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 279,
6/14/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/14/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8070]
The Legislation Extended Restrictions On The Closure Of The
Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. "The measure would extend
restrictions on closing the U.S. military-run detention center at
the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on moving
detainees from that facility stateside or to certain foreign
countries. The bill also would bar construction or modification of
prisons to hold the prisoners in the continental United States."
[Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/24]
The Bill Included Various Amendments That Prohibited
Gender-Affirming Care, Rescinded A DOD Abortion And Reproductive
Health Policy, And Prohibited The Use Of Funds For DEI Or Critical
Race Theory-Related Programs. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "As amended, the bill would prohibit the use of funds for
programs related to critical race theory and diversity, equity and
inclusion. It also would rescind a DOD policy on abortions and
reproductive healthcare. As amended, the bill would prohibit TRICARE
from covering, and the DOD from furnishing, gender transition
surgeries and gender hormone treatments for individuals who identify
as transgender. It would also prohibit the provision of gender
transition procedures, including surgery or medication, through the
Exceptional Family Medical Program." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/24]
The Abortion And Reproductive Health Policy Rescinded By The Bill
Provided Leave And Reimbursement For Travel To Servicemembers In
States With Strict Abortion Laws. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The bill's politically touchy provisions are many, but
the arguably most explosive is its ban on covering certain expenses
incurred by servicemembers obtaining abortions. The provision takes
aim at a Biden administration policy that provides leave and
reimburses travel costs for servicemembers stationed in states with
strict abortion laws who seek reproductive health care elsewhere."
[Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/24]
The Bill Contained Several Other "Culture War" Amendments That
Prohibited DEI Programs At DOD Schools, Authorizations For Programs
To Prepare Military Facilities For Climate Change, Drag Shows And
Story Hours At Military Facilities, And The Consideration Of
Politics, Gender, Sex, Race, Or Religion In Military Personnel
Decisions. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Moreover, the
bill would require that military personnel decisions be based solely
on merit and without regard to politics, race, color, sex or
religion. It would bar diversity, equity and inclusion programs in
Defense Department schools." [...] The legislation would also not
authorize any programs to help the U.S. military gird its facilities
for climate change's impact. [...] The bill would [...] prohibit
drag shows and drag queen story hours at military facilities."
[Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/24]
The Bill Included Increases In Compensation For Servicemembers.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House NDAA is noteworthy
for including new compensation and benefits for military families,
from higher housing allowances to greater pay. The personnel portion
of the bill is $3.83 billion above the president's request. The
measure would authorize a 4.5 percent pay raise for all
servicemembers, plus various special pays and bonuses. Junior
enlisted troops would get a 19.5 percent raise." [Congressional
Quarterly, 6/14/24]
The House Adopted An Amendment That Required An Audit Of Pentagon
Weapons, Spare Parts, And Service Programs In An Attempt To Reduce
Overcharging By Contractors. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"The House passed the bill after adopting by voice vote a proposal
from Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, and Ralph Norman, R-S.C., to
create a one-year audit of Pentagon weapons, spare parts and
services programs with a view to rooting out overcharging by
contractors." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/24]
The Bill Required A Full Review Of The U.S.-South Africa
Relationship. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House
also adopted, 272-144, an amendment by Rep. John James, R-Mich.,
that would expand a presidential reporting requirement on South
African threats to U.S. security by including a mandate for a full
review of the U.S. relationship with South Africa." [Congressional
Quarterly, 6/14/24]
The Call For Review Of The Relationship Came After South Africa
Brought A Case To The International Court Of Justice Accusing Israel
Of Genocide And Stemmed From Separate Stand-Alone Legislation.
According to the Middle East Eye, "Congressmen John James and Jared
Moskowitz introduced a bill last week in the US House of
Representatives that seeks to undergo a review of the bilateral
relationship between the United States and South Africa. The
US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act would require a full
review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and
South Africa, 'given South Africa's recent positioning and
coordination with America's adversaries.' [...] The bill alleges
that South Africa has a history of siding with 'malign actors' and
that its support for Hamas goes back to 1994, when the African
National Congress first came to power, because South Africa has been
'consistently accusing Israel of practicing apartheid'. South Africa
has accused Israel of genocide and in January took it to the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, which held
hearings in response to the accusation." [Middle East Eye,
2/12/24]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting The Use Of FY 2025 Defense
Funds For Electric Vehicles. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted against ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 22 that would
prohibit the use of funds authorized or made available to the Defense
Department under the bill for electric vehicles or an electric vehicle
charging infrastructure." The vote was on the amendment. The underlying
legislation was the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. The
House rejected the amendment by a vote of 173 to 241. [House Vote 254,
6/12/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/12/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.966;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8070]
2024: Fitzpatrick Was Absent During A Vote On Prohibiting The Use Of
FY 2025 Defense Funds To Transport Palestinian Refugees To The United
States. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick missed a vote on, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 8 that would prohibit the use of
funds authorized by the bill or otherwise made available to the Defense
Department for the operation of any DOD aircraft to transport
Palestinian refugees to the United States." The vote was on the
amendment. The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 National Defense
Authorization Act. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 204 to
199. [House Vote 253,
6/12/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/12/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.963;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8070]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide A 4.6% Military Pay Raise And
Increase The Basic Needs Allowance. In December 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the James M. Inhofe
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which would, in
part, "authorize a 4.6 percent military pay increase and increase the
basic needs allowance to ensure servicemembers earn at least 150 percent
of the poverty level." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 350-80, thus the bill was sent to the Senate for final
concurrence. The Senate concurred with the House, sent the final bill to
President Biden, and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 516,
12/8/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1512;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7776]