BUYER: NATION’S MILITARY AND NATIONAL DEFENSE TAKES PRECEDENCE
Washington,
Oct 8 -
Washington, DC—On June 25, 2009, the House of Representatives passed a clean, NationalDefense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2010 by a vote 389-22, which Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) supported. However, when the measure was considered by the Senate, Democrat leaders added controversial language, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 1913, to the final version of the bill which was included in the conference report. Congressman Buyer opposed the NDAA Conference Report because of those misplaced partisan provisions and is disappointed that Democrats would use this bill as a vehicle for their agenda and detract from legislation meant to support the men and women serving to protect the nation.
“At a time when our country is fighting a two-front war, my Democrat colleagues believed it to be more prudent to sign into law partisan and divisive hate crimes legislation rather than to ensure that our men and women are adequately taken care of in the field. I am disappointed and again surprised by the misplaced priorities of the Democrat leadership in Congress. National defense and providing adequately for the nation’s military should be a top priority,” stated Buyer. “My no vote supports the values, goals, and mission of the United States military.”
Congressman Buyer went on to say that, “Every citizen has equal rights under the jurisdiction of the law. I do not believe that Congress should create protected groups and then treat the crimes committed against the victims of these protected groups more seriously than crimes committed against another citizen—especially when Congress is considering the business of the nation’s military and defense system.”
“I am very bothered by that fact that I had to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for the sole purpose that the hate crimes legislation was added last minute. I supported the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act which passed in June. I fail to understand why Congress insists on playing political games,” stated Buyer.
The NDAA Conference Report passed the House of Representatives by a vote 281 to 146.
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