These House Dems Joined Republicans to Protect Bloated Nuclear Weapons Spending
This week, the House has been voting on amendments the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020.
Leaders of the Progressive Caucus have rightfully expressed their displeasure with the $733 billion bill, given the constraints that have been artificially imposed on social spending for years. According to Politico, progressives are seeking to reduce the overall size of the NDAA and rein in the Trump administration’s support for the Saudi war against Yemen and the administration’s war-mongering toward Iran.
The Positive: Curbing the US’s Support for Saudi War Crimes
In today’s debate, three amendments seeking to curtail US support for Saudi Arabia passed, on mostly party line votes.
Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33)’s first amendment prohibited the use of funds from the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to aid Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates in their war efforts in Yemen.
It passed 239 to 187. Only two Democrats — Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) — voted against it. 8 Republicans and Republican-turned-Independent Justin Amash (MI-03) voted for it.
Lieu’s second amendment blocked the use of funds to transfer any defense articles or services to Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates under the emergency authority of the Arms Export Control Act that circumvents congressional review.
It passed 246 to 180, commanding the support of the full Democratic caucus along with 13 Republicans and Amash.
Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09)’s amendment to prohibit support to and participation in the Saudi-led coalitions military operations against the Houthis in Yemen also passed on a vote of 243 to 186, with all Democrats and 11 Republicans voting for it.
The Negative: Failing to Curb the Bloated Weapons Budget
The most divisive, and disappointing votes, today, however, related to the US’s nuclear weapons program.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) introduced two amendments to rein in the size of nuclear weapons spending.
The first was an attempt to restore an independent study of options to extend the lifespan of the Minuteman III missile to 2050 in order to reduce spending on the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) being developed to replace it. Studies have estimated that this new ICBM will cost $100 billion. This study was in the original version of the FY 2020 NDAA, although Republicans, with pro-weapon Democrats, succeeded at stripping it out.
Unfortunately, that coalition succeeded again today, as the amendment failed 164 to 264. 162 Democrats, 1 Republican [Tom Massie (KY-04)], and Republican-turned-Independent Justin Amash (MI-03) voted for it. 68 Democrats joined 196 Republicans in voting it down.
Here are the 68 Democrats:
His second amendment reduced funding for the refurbishment of the W80 nuclear warhead. Last year, National Nuclear Security Administration said that they would only need $714 million for this; this year, they claim they need $900 million. The amendment would give NNSA only the $714 million and redirect the rest of the funds to the NNSA’s nuclear nonproliferation accounts.
The amendment failed 198 to 229. Massie and Amash were now joined by Chris Roy (TX-21). On the Democratic side, 195 voted for it, and 35 voted against it.
Here are the 35:
