Congressman Garamendi Sole Vote Against Defense Bill because of Afghanistan War, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell & Wasteful Pentagon Spending

WASHINGTON, DC – Early this morning, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) because it extends the war in Afghanistan, delays the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and furthers billions of dollars in wasteful Pentagon spending. NDAA passed by a 60-1 vote with Congressman Garamendi the sole dissenter.

Afghanistan

"The Armed Services Committee voted to continue the war in Afghanistan, the longest war in U.S. history. Because I wholeheartedly support our soldiers and their families, I cannot in good conscience vote to extend a war without an endgame," Garamendi said. "To continue to risk the lives of 100,000 American troops in support of the corrupt Karzai government in Afghanistan’s internal civil war is not in the long-term national interest of the United States."

Congressman Garamendi introduced an amendment to the bill that calls for a substantial reduction in U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by the end of 2013, with remaining troops focused exclusively on counter-terrorism. The amendment was withdrawn, but it is anticipated to be reintroduced on the House floor.

Garamendi added, "With Bin Laden dead, Al Qaeda’s training camps in Afghanistan destroyed, and fewer than 100 known Al Qaeda members left in Afghanistan, we’ve completed most of our mission critical goals in Afghanistan. It’s time we brought an end to the war in Afghanistan and targeted Al Qaeda like a laser wherever it takes root."

Local Needs

"If my vote furthers the national debate on the war to the point where even one soldier from Travis can stay home with his family instead of fighting in Afghanistan, I will know that I’ve done what the people of the 10th Congressional District sent me to Washington to do," said Congressman Garamendi. "The brave men and women at Travis Air Force Base and the researchers at the Livermore labs work every day to keep America safe and to create a more peaceful and just world. It is unfortunate I did not have the opportunity to vote for their worthy work in a standalone bill."

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

"The Republican Majority insisted on inserting divisive language in the NDAA delaying the ability of gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly and without fear of retribution," Garamendi added. "Anyone brave enough to don the uniform and risk their life for our country deserves better than to be used as a piñata for cheap partisan points. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is a discriminatory policy inconsistent with American values of tolerance, fairness, and equality under the law. When DADT is permanently dumped in the dustbin of history, we will be a better nation for it."

Wasteful Spending

"There are many American priorities reliant on limited resources. Republicans in this Congress have voted to slash Pell Grants, decimate job-creating transportation investments, and destroy Medicare, all under the pretext of paying down the deficit. Al Qaeda has made it clear they intend to strike the United States again, yet this Congress even voted to remove thousands of police, firefighters, and first responders from our streets," Garamendi added. "If we’re going to talk about ‘shared sacrifice’, bloated military contracts need to be on the table. This defense bill includes millions in wasteful Pentagon spending that even the Pentagon doesn’t want. It is immoral to balance the budget on the backs of families struggling to get by while simultaneously letting the special interests with the best lobbyists continue with business as usual."