Menendez, Booker Split Votes On Record-High Military Spending Bill

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey’s two U.S. senators had split opinions on a record-high military spending bill, which passed the Senate on Thursday.

The Senate voted 83-11 to approve the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), getting a “yes” from Sen. Robert Menendez and a “no” from Sen. Cory Booker.

The legislation now heads to the desk of President Joe Biden.

The House of Representatives gave a green light to the final negotiated version of the NDAA last week. In New Jersey, eight Congress members voted for the bill and four voted against it. Read More: 4 NJ Lawmakers Vote Against Record-High US Military Spending Bill

The fiscal year 2023 NDAA authorizes an $858 billion topline for the nation’s military and defense spending, a record-high that is $45 billion above what Biden previously proposed. It marks a $90 billion increase in military spending from last year.

Federal lawmakers hammer out a new version of the NDAA every year, which lays out defense priorities and provides guidance on how military funding can be spent. It typically sees several changes and amendments before a final version is agreed upon by the Senate and House of Representatives. Separate appropriations bills with matching dollar figures must also be passed for the increases to become a reality.

Since it is considered a “must-pass” bill, the NDAA has become a popular venue to attach riders and amendments, not all of which are directly related to national defense. This year’s NDAA contains a provision that would roll back the U.S. military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemembers.

Congress has greenlighted the bill every year for more than six consecutive decades.

There have been both cheers and jeers for the current levels of military spending from New Jersey lawmakers.

Some say the NDAA strengthens national security, supports servicemembers and creates jobs. For example, this year’s spending plan contains funds for Picatinny Arsenal, which contributes more than $1 billion to New Jersey's economy.

But critics question whether the nation’s rising military budget is a good use of taxpayer money, with some House members charging that this year’s NDAA “supports war and profit-driven defense contractors” at a time when millions of people across America are struggling to put food on the table.

BOB MENENDEZ: ‘A BIG DEAL FOR NEW JERSEYANS’

Sen. Menendez applauded the Senate’s vote on Thursday, saying that the bill “provides vital funding to support our national security, American’s troops, veterans and their families.”

Menendez's full statement follows below.

“Today, I voted for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, a bipartisan bill to safeguard our national security and support our service members with the resources they need to implement the National Defense Strategy. I’m glad we were able to come together in a bipartisan way and authorize a 4.6% pay raise, a 2% housing allowance increase, and expanded childcare benefits for our men and women in uniform. These measures will bolster our civilian military workforce, upholding the commitment we owe to those willing to put their lives on the line for our country, both domestically and abroad.

“This critical legislation contains many domestic priorities I have championed during this Congress, including the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act to protect judges on the federal bench and their families from threats to their safety. It also authorizes funding for several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in New Jersey as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, including the Rahway River, Sea Bright, Manasquan, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, and other small flood control projects in South Jersey counties. And it provides funding for ongoing studies at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl — also known as PFAS chemicals — which have been linked to health complications when found in everyday items and drinking water and which I’ve proudly supported and urged for in previous years.

“With the passage of this legislation, we are also sending several of my priorities as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the President’s desk for their signature into law. This includes my historic Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship; my United States-Ecuador Partnership Act to expand our nation’s cooperation with Ecuador; and my Department of State Authorization Act of 2022, which supports and invests in our nation’s diplomats, building on last year’s passage that broke a near 20-year streak of an authorization bill not being passed into law. Most importantly, we uphold our commitment to Ukraine in its fight against the unjust and unprovoked attack by Russia.

“Simply put, the FY2023 NDAA is a big deal for our nation and for New Jerseyans and their families. Supporting our troops, keeping our communities safe and investing in our national security is one the most fundamental obligations we have as Members of Congress. I thank partners from both sides of the aisle for supporting my priorities included in this historic legislation.”

• See related article: Sen. Menendez Wants $10B For Taiwan Defense In US Military Budget

CORY BOOKER: 'THERE IS A BETTER WAY'

Meanwhile, Sen. Booker agreed that the bill contains many positive aspects, such as a "well-deserved pay raise" for troops and provisions that help veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits.

But there are too many negatives to vote yes on the current version of the bill, the senator added. He wrote:

“I support and celebrate many critically important elements of this legislation, especially those honoring our service members by giving them a well-deserved pay raise, helping veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits, and better supporting military families. I also applaud provisions increasing the energy resilience of the Department of Defense and providing security assistance to Ukraine.

“I believe there is a better way to support our service members and protect America’s national security than this bloated bill, which authorizes $45 billion more spending than even the Pentagon requested for this fiscal year. I continue to be concerned by the lack of complete and reliable information related to the Department’s audit remediation efforts and levels of waste, fraud, and financial mismanagement that still exists. We need more robust oversight, transparency, and accountability, starting with a complete and comprehensive audit of the Pentagon. Furthermore, I cannot ignore the stark discrepancy between continuing the trend of increasing military funding and the lack of corresponding investments in diplomacy abroad and schools, health care, and housing here at home.

“Congress must deliver a more responsible and comprehensive defense policy that protects America’s interests against the threats of the 21st Century.”

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