Congressman Cohen Votes No on National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today voted against the massive, $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, a major Trump priority.

The measure passed on a vote of 216 to 212.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I could not in good conscience hand Pete Hegseth $1.15 billion with another supplemental spending bill for his unnecessary war in Iran pending. The Defense Department has never passed an audit. How could it with Hegseth spending millions on lobster tails, king crab and ribeye steaks? There are some important provisions in this legislation that I support, such as the pay raise for our troops and assistance for military families. I understand better than many, as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the threat posed by Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, but we must spend American tax dollars responsibly and the Trump Defense Department has established it is incapable and unwilling to do that.

"The inclusion of the SAVE Trump Act which the president thinks will help him retain a Republican majority in the House, and avoid oversight in his final two years in office, made my decision on this vote even easier."

# # #