Press Releases
U.S. Representative Massie Votes ‘Nay’ on NDAA
Washington, DC,
December 21, 2012
U.S. Representative Massie Votes ‘Nay’ on NDAA
“This bill ignores principles central to American liberty”Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) voted against H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for 2013. “The NDAA violates fundamental rights recognized since the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 A.D.,” said Rep. Massie. “This bill ignores principles central to American liberty.” The National Defense Authorization Acts of 2012 and 2013 collectively authorize indefinite detention of citizens without trial, depriving them of rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. A Senate amendment, supported by Senator Rand Paul, to address the indefinite detention provisions of the NDAA was stripped from the bill before arriving at the House for a vote. “I couldn’t in good conscience vote for the NDAA while simultaneously upholding my oath to defend the Constitution,” Rep. Massie concluded. Earlier this month, Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen added an amendment to H.R. 4310 to permit taxpayer funding for certain types of abortion that had not been previously allowed. Under current law, the Department of Defense restricts federal funds to be used for abortions except when the mother’s life is in danger. The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2013 expands the list of exceptions. The National Defense Authorization Act for 2013 passed the House, 315-107. |