Yoho Statement on Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

Washington D.C.  – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) gave the following statement after final passage of the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act: 

“It is my duty as a Member of Congress to give our military personnel the tools they need to complete the mission they are given and defend our nation. Republicans and Democrats came together today and passed an authorization bill that will provide the resources our military needs.

“This legislation authorizes an increase in troop pay, protects our National Guard, and maintains our military readiness. It also included an amendment I helped introduce that prohibits the use of drones against American citizens, unless they are actively engaged in combat against the United States of America. This authorization is $45 billion less than the President’s budget request and $30.7 billion less than last year’s legislation.”

In addition to his adopted amendment prohibiting the use of drone strikes on American citizens, Congressman Yoho sponsored the following amendments:

• Reps. Yoho/Holt Drone Amendment that transfers all armed drone authority to DOD.
   
• Reps. Lee/Broun AUMF Amendment that gives Congress authority to review activities carried out by the Administration under the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) and repeal those it does not wish to reauthorize.
   
• Reps. Conyers/Amash MANPADS Amendment that prohibits funding the transfer of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to anyone involved in the Syrian conflict.
  
   

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Congressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida’s 3rd Congressional District