Menendez, Booker Split Vote On U.S. Military Spending Bill

NEW JERSEY — The national military defense spending bill is headed to the desk of President Joe Biden after getting a resounding “yes” vote in the U.S. Senate. But in New Jersey, the state’s two lawmakers – both Democratic Party members – had a split opinion about the final version of the $770 billion bill.

A compromise version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act passed 88-11 in the Senate on Wednesday. It got a “yes” vote from Sen. Robert Menendez, but a “no” from Sen. Cory Booker, who originally voted in favor of the bill, but later got consent to switch from “yea” to “nay.”

The annual legislation outlines the budget for the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military spending, authorizing about 5 percent more military spending than last year. It will boost pay for servicemembers by 2.7 percent, although a prior clause that would have expanded the military draft to include women was dropped from the final version.

Biden is expected to sign the bill, even though it boosts the military budget by $25 billion beyond what he requested.

Patch has reached out to Booker for comment on his “nay” vote. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

Menendez released a statement about his “yea” vote on the bill. He wrote:

“I am pleased to have voted for a bipartisan defense bill that will equip our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to keep our nation safe and uphold the American values we hold dear. Despite initial Republican obstruction in the Senate, we were able work on a bipartisan basis to invest in our security, bolster the civilian military workforce, and support the troops who are willing to put their lives on the line for our freedom. This critical legislation contains several provisions to support our servicemembers including a pay increase for our military personnel, the expansion of parental leave to 12 weeks for all servicemembers, and improvements to the Basic Need Allowance to ensure that all servicemembers can provide for the basic needs of their families. The FY2022 NDAA also makes critical investments to increase the Air Force’s global reach by dedicating more than $2.3 billion to purchase KC-46A mid-air refueling tankers, similar to the two currently housed at New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. This will continue to position New Jersey as a clear strategic location for the country’s national defense and create greater economic opportunity in our state.”

“I look forward to working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to pass other important to New Jerseyans and their families that were not included in the bill passed today,” Menendez said.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot who represents the state’s 11th District, cheered the Senate’s vote on Wednesday.

Sherrill, a Democrat who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, gave a thumbs up to the House version of the bill earlier this month. Read More: Rep. Sherrill Votes To Raise Military Spending, Servicemember Pay

“I’m pleased the Senate was finally able to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act,” the congresswoman said. “This year’s bill contains significant investments for Picatinny Arsenal, the DOD’s Joint Center of Excellence for Lethality, and will ensure that the Department of Defense and the servicemen and women who make up our Armed Forces have what they need. It will ensure our military remains the best, most well-equipped fighting force in the world and is able to effectively confront the evolving global challenges ahead.”

“These authorizations are too important to wait, and the Senate was finally able to get it across the finish line after months of unnecessary delay,” Sherrill added.

Other New Jersey Congress members have given enthusiastic support for this year’s bill, including Rep. Donald Norcross of the 1st District, who said it will benefit “the soldiers, sailors, and airmen stationed in New Jersey,” as well as their families and the “companies that support them.”

Earlier this month, Rep. Andy Kim of the 3rd District – who also voted for the House version of the bill – said it will provide “billions of dollars to create new jobs and support small businesses in Burlington and Ocean counties.”

However, some New Jersey advocates have argued that increasing the military budget is irresponsible – especially in light of financial strains caused by the coronavirus pandemic – and would rather see taxpayer money spent on social programs or infrastructure improvements.

"There are over 800 U.S. bases around the globe," a group of anti-war activists said last year. "And yet in America on average every minute four people are served with eviction judgments, 30 million have no access to health care, $1.5 trillion is owed in suffocating student loan debt, and 63 percent of the population cannot afford a $500 emergency repair."

• See related article: Protesters Plan Rally In NJ: 'End Wars, Cut Military Budget'

Send news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.