Dems For The Troops, Before They Were Against Them?

Dem Senator: ‘Just As We Have Called On Them To Protect Us, They Are Calling On Us To Provide Them With The Resources They Need’
“Filibuster Summer Gets Its First Test. … as National Journal’s Fawn Johnson writes, the plan puts Democrats in the strange position of having voted for a defense spending bill that used that same war funding just a day before blocking one Thursday. ‘Either way, their message is mixed.’” (“Budget And Tax: Democrats Ready To Block Defense Spending Bill,” Washington Post’s ‘PowerPost’ Blog, 6/18/15)

• “Democrats Go Wobbly on Defense Bills: The defense authorization and appropriations bills… why are Democrats standing firm on one but not the other?” (“Democrats Go Wobbly On Defense Bills,” National Journal, 6/16/15)
• ‘The Democrats’ stonewall’ of the appropriations bill a ‘risky gambit’ “…the Democrats’ stonewall will almost undoubtedly lead to paralysis on spending bills, on the floor and possibly in committee as the appropriations panel moves to mark up more traditionally contentious nondefense spending bills.” (“Senate Democrats Launch A Risky Gambit On Defense Spending,” CQ Roll Call, 6/18/15)

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): 31 Democrats In Favor “The Senate on Wednesday voted 84-14 to end debate on the bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)…” (“US Defense Bill…” International Business Times, 6/17/15)

• 31 Senate Democrats voted to end debate on the NDAA. (H.R. 1735, Motion To Invoke Cloture, Agreed To 84-14: R 52-1; D 31-12; I 1-1, 6/17/15)

Defense Appropriations Bill: In Committee, Dems Explained It’s ‘A Key Investment In Our National Security’ & Includes ‘A Well-Deserved Pay Raise For Our Troops’
“The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Thursday a Defense spending bill for fiscal 2016… The committee vote was 27-3 in favor of the measure, which would allocate nearly $576 billion, including $86.9 billion for Pentagon overseas operations.” (“Senate Appropriators Advance Defense Bill Amid Partisan Spats,” CQ Roll Call, 6/11/15)

11 Democrats Voted Yea: Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), & Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).

• SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ (D-HI): “‘The funding for defense programs that the Appropriations Committee passed today is a key investment in our national security and is further indication of the important role Hawaii plays in our defense strategy,’ said Senator Schatz. ‘Within the constraints of the sequester, a number of Hawai‘i’s defense priorities were funded.  These are critical if we are going to have a successful strategy to rebalance to the Asia Pacific.’” (Sen. Schatz, Press Release, 6/11/15)
• SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): ‘Today, the payoff is big,’ “Murphy Calls Defense Appropriations A Victory For Connecticut… ‘I fought for a seat on the Appropriations Committee – the one committee that controls how our government spends taxpayer dollars – so I could make sure that Connecticut taxpayers see their hard earned money returned to our state. I’ve listened to the needs and concerns of residents all across Connecticut and have worked hard on their behalf, and today, the payoff is big. I voted for the Defense Appropriations Bill because it will directly protect and grow Connecticut’s defense manufacturing industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports across our state. This bill recognizes Connecticut’s contribution to America’s national security by investing in our state-of-the-art submarines, helicopters, and jet engines and adding hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. It provides more Blackhawk helicopters, F135 engines, and research and development of new submarines critical to manufacturing in towns like Groton, Middletown, and Stratford. It will also expand access to behavioral health counseling for our servicemen and women and implement a well-deserved pay raise for our troops who put their lives on the line each and every day.” (Sen. Murphy, “Murphy Calls Defense Appropriations A Victory For Connecticut,” 6/11/15)
• SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-NH): “As you are aware, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Appropriations bill … This bill included $20 million for Beyond Yellow Ribbon programs, which was one of my top priorities. New Hampshire’s Care Coordination Program (CCPNH) has achieved significant outcomes in areas including suicide prevention, access to mental health, homelessness prevention, and access to employment for veterans.” (Sen. Shaheen, Press Release, 6/12/15)

SEN. BARBARA MIKULSKI (D-MD): DoD Approps bill includes ‘one of the most important tools we have to support and promote the health and well-being of our military families in this country’ “…today the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously passed her amendment to restore $322 million in commissary funding to the Senate Defense Appropriations bill. Restoring these funds will prevent commissaries from reducing store hours and days of operation. ‘The commissary is one of the most important tools we have to support and promote the health and well-being of our military families in this country,’ said Senator Mikulski, a member of the Senate Military Families Caucus.” (Sen. Mikulski, Press Release, 6/11/15)

‘Just As We Have Called On Them To Protect Us, They Are Calling On Us To Provide Them With The Resources They Need’
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): “‘The inclusion of this funding in the Senate’s defense bill is a deserving victory for our U.S. Air National Guard - especially New Jersey’s courageous 177th Fighter Wing, who were immediately engaged in securing airspace over New York and Washington following the tragic events on 9/11,’ Sen. Booker said. ‘Just as we have called on them to protect us, they are calling on us to provide them with the resources they need to effectively protect and defend our homeland. Today marks significant progress in meeting this vital need.’” (Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) & Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Press Release, 6/17/15)

SEN. BOB MENENDEZ (D-NJ): ‘Securing this funding in the DOD appropriations bill is a win-win-win’ “‘New Jersey's military preparedness plays an important role in the defense of our nation, and these investments will help ensure our F-16 fighters based in Atlantic City are properly upgraded,’ Sen. Menendez said. ‘Securing this funding in the DOD appropriations bill is a win-win-win: For the Air National Guard, New Jersey’s 177th Fighter Wing and the American people.’” (Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) & Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Press Release, 6/17/15)

‘Senate Democratic Leaders Say They Will Block The Defense Appropriations Bill’ Anyway
“Senate Democratic leaders say they will block the defense appropriations bill from coming to the floor this month unless there is a deal to lift ceilings on government spending known as the sequester.” (“Senate Democrats Vow To Block Defense Spending Bill,” The Hill, 6/4/15)

• SEN. BARBARA MIKULSKI (D-MD): “This vote on the motion to proceed will show that we’re really resolute.” (“Senate Democrats Launch A Risky Gambit On Defense Spending,” CQ Roll Call, 6/18/15)
• SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): “Republicans should be absolutely crystal clear about one thing: Democrats will not vote to put a defense appropriations bill on the floor…Schumer added.” (“Senate Democrats Vow To Block Defense Spending Bill,” The Hill, 6/4/15)
• SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said the caucus would recommend to its members that they vote against proceeding to the defense appropriations bill.” (“Senate Democrats Vow To Block Defense spending Bill,” The Hill, 6/4/15)

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