As the House begins consideration of amendments to H.R. 1960, the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), NTU urges Representatives to support those amendments that help to restrain military spending and address persistent waste at the Pentagon. To that end, NTU will consider “YES” votes on the following amendments to be the pro-taxpayer position:
- Amendment #21:McCollum (D-MN): Prohibits the Army National Guard from using funds to sponsor professional wrestling or motor sports, thus reducing wasteful spending.
- Amendment #35: Langevin (D-RI): Requires a report providing an updated comparison of the costs and risks of acquiring DDG 1000 and DDG51 Flight II vessels. Funding only one DDG-51 Destroyer could save taxpayers $1.5 billion over ten years.
- Amendment #91: Nolan (D-MN): Reduces total funds authorized in this act by $60 billion, bringing the legislation in line with sequester limits.
- Amendment #210: Coffman (R-CO), Griffith (R-VA), Polis (D-CO), Blumenauer (D-OR): Directs the President to end the permanent basing of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany. According to Sen. Coburn’s “Back in Black” report, reducing overseas military personnel could save up to $69.5 billion over ten years, and this amendment is a good start.
- Amendment #222: Blumenauer (D-OR), Mulvaney (R-SC), Bentivolio (R-MI): Reduces from 11 to 10 the statutory requirement for the number of operational carriers that the U.S. Navy must have. Providing greater flexibility to consider reducing the number of aircraft carriers has the potential to save up to $18.4 billion over ten years.
- Amendment #247: Van Hollen (D-MD), Moran (D-VA), Mulvaney (R-SC), Woodall (R-GA):Matches the Pentagon’s request for Overseas Contingency Operations of $79.4 billion, $6.4 billion less than the $85.8 outlined in H.R. 1960.
Congress must consider other options to reduce military spending without hurting readiness; until that time, these amendments can help to frame what is a necessary debate. Roll call votes on these amendments to H.R. 1960 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift (703) 683-5700******************************