SEEC Climate and National Security Task Force Statement on the House Passage of FY24 NDAA
Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Climate and National Security Task Force, Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), released the following statement in response to the House passage of H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24 NDAA).
“This NDAA was supposed to be bipartisan and make sure our servicemembers are taken care of. Unfortunately, Republicans used it instead, to strip away and roll back climate investments that our military leaders told us are necessary for our national defense and our military’s resilience,” said Congressman Kim. “Our planet is tipping towards an era of extreme weather destabilization, posing a direct threat to U.S. national security and the livelihoods of everyday Americans. The NDAA that Congressional Republicans put together over the last two days does not rise to meet these 21st century challenges, and I voted against it because I believe we can and should do better. I pray the Senate avoids the extremist hijacking we endured in the House and that we can vote on a more sane and credible defense bill later this year.”
“A sustainable and resilient military strengthens our national security, but extremist House Republicans have used their majority to push political agendas that harm our service members,” said Congresswoman Porter. “Our focus should be on creating a military that can adapt to our changing climate. Unfortunately, rampant waste at the Pentagon means billions are funneled into the pockets of defense contractors—not the programs that need it the most. American taxpayers and our brave troops deserve better.”
Background
In May, the Task Force sent a letter to Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) of the House Armed Services Committee urging for support of a robust national defense strategy that prioritizes resilience and energy independence to protect Americans at home and abroad. The letter called for expansion of a number of key Department of Defense (DoD) energy security and resilience programs.