Votes on HR4350 – National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) For Fiscal 2022 and certain amendments.

Link to Govtrack.us for this bill: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr4350

HR4350 is the first of two bills to enact the national war budget. The second bill will be the National Defense Appropriations Bill, later this year.

HR4350 was overwhelmingly enacted in the US House - 316 yes/113 no. The no vote was 38 Democrats and 75 Republicans. The yes vote was 181 Democrats; 135 Republicans. So this is a bipartisan win for war which would not have been enacted except for the strong Yes vote by the Democrats. In addition to the vote on the bill, there were lots of amendments offered, some of which got votes as well. This bill now moves to the US Senate for a vote. If they approve the bill with changes, a Joint Committee will be formed to work out the differences, with another vote required in both Senate and House to approve the compromise bill. Otherwise, it will go to the President for his signature. Below is the voting summary on certain amendments and the major bill by Oregon US Representatives.

Vote on HR 4350

Explanation Representative Vote
HR4350 This bill authorizes FY2022 appropriations for military activities and programs of the Department of Defense (e.g., personnel; research, development, test, and evaluation; and procurement of items such as aircraft, missiles, and ammunition). It also prescribes military personnel strengths for FY2022. 
Passed 316/113
Bentz (R) Yes
Blumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) No
DeFazio (D) No
Schrader (D) Yes

Votes on certain HR4350 Amendments
Amendment #             Explanation               Representative               Vote

H. Amdt #111 To prohibit U.S. military presence in Syria without Congressional approval within one year of the bill’s enactment
Failed 141/286
Bentz (R) NayBlumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) Yes
DeFazio (D) Yes
Schrader (D) No

H. Amdt #113 To terminate U.S. military logistical support and the transfer of spare parts to Saudi warplanes conducting aerial strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, and permanently end any U.S. effort to command, coordinate, partic.
Agreed to 219/207
Bentz (R) No
Blumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) Yes
DeFazio (D) Yes
Schrader (D) Yes

H. Amdt 114 To require the suspension of U.S. sustainment and maintenance support to Saudi air force units responsible for airstrikes resulting in civilian casualties in Yemen with certain exemptions for territorial self-defense, co.
Agreed to 223/204
Bentz (R) No
Blumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) Yes
DeFazio (D) Yes
Schrader (D) Yes

H. Amdt 116 To restrict the Department of Defense from transferring certain surplus military property to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies
Failed 198/231
Bentz (R) No
Blumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) Yes
DeFazio (D) Yes
Schrader (D) No

H. Amdt 119 To reduce the bills overall authorization by 10 percent, excluding the military personnel, DoD federal civilian workforce, and defense health program accounts from the reduction. 
Failed 86/332
Bentz (R) No
Blumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) Yes
DeFazio (D) Yes
Schrader (D) No

H. Amdt 120 To reduce amounts authorized for defense spending in FY22 to no more than the amount requested by the President. 
Defeated 289-142
Bentz (R) No
Blumenauer (D) Yes
Bonamici (D) Yes
DeFazio (D) Yes
Schrader (D) Yes

Summary:  Earl Blumenuer voted correctly each time on these certain Amendments but then on this final important vote he voted to enact HR4350, which is the wrong vote. On that final vote on the whole bill, Bonomic and DeFazio vote correctly to defeat HR4350.  

Democrats Blumenauer, Schrader and Republican Bentz vote to enact HR4350.  Call them and let them know that they voted against the people’s interest by voting to approve the House National Defense Authorization Bill.