Hawaii Reps Oppose GOP-Backed Defense Bill
U.S. Reps. Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa noted “no” Thursday (May 17) on a rule governing floor consideration of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), “after Democrats criticized Republicans for preventing debate on an amendment to return U.S. troops from Afghanistan more quickly.”
The 224-178 vote in favor of the measure was heavily along party lines.
The Hill has this report, which says the vote sets up “a long day and evening in which up to 142 amendments will be considered to the $643 billion authorization bill.”
Excerpt:
While Republicans noted that they have tripled the number of amendments compared to when Democrats ruled the House, Democrats accused the GOP of blocking consideration of a bipartisan amendment to accelerate the military transition out of Afghanistan by 2013, and transfer security operations to Afghanistan by 2014.
—Chad Blair
