National Security
Democrats are committed to enhancing our national security and advancing key American interests, while supporting human rights and democratic values at home and abroad.
In the 117th Congress, Democrats passed a bipartisan defense authorization bill that strengthened our national security, ensured our military personnel have the resources they need to defend our country, and bolstered our allies and international interests. In the 118th Congress, Democrats will build on these gains by continuing to help President Biden keep Americans safe.
We will continue to work with the Administration to provide our diplomats and our troops with the tools needed to carry out their missions abroad safely and effectively. This will include continuing to work with our allies to ensure Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ends in defeat for Putin, that America maintains its competitiveness against China’s authoritarian challenges, and that the world is free from threats posed by Iran.
While House Republicans aren’t taking any action to stop the sequester’s reckless, across-the-board cuts, its impact continues to spread. With just two legislative weeks left until the August district work period – and only two full legislative weeks in September – time is short for action. Here’s a quick look at some of the articles from this weekend covering the avoidable impact of the sequester:
“Mr. Speaker, for civilian defense employees at Pax River Naval Air Station, Webster Field, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indian Head, all of which I represent – and Mr. Jones, who's on the Floor, represents a substantial number as well in his district – sequestration hit home last week as furloughs began. The same is true for 650,000 civilian defense workers throughout our country.
This week, furloughs caused by the sequester went into effect for the civilian employees at the Department of Defense, forcing these middle-class workers, who help keep our nation safe and assist our war-fighters, to accept a 20 percent pay cut. Unfortunately, they aren’t the only victims of the sequester. Yesterday, the National Journal explained how the poorest people in our country are seeing some of the greater impact of these across-the-boa
"I join in congratulating Sec. Napolitano on her selection as the next President of the University of California system and thanking her for her service at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security over the past four years.
Beginning this week, civilian employees in the Department of Defense will be furloughed for a total of 11 days from now through the end of the fiscal year as a result of sequestration. Because of House Republicans’ refusal to work towards a big and balanced deficit reduction agreement that ends the sequester and puts us on a long-term, fiscally sustainable path, middle-class workers across the country will see their pay reduced, face job insecurity, and will contribute less to local economies.
“Mr. Speaker, beginning this week, literally hundreds of thousands of civilian workers are being furloughed, particularly at the defense installations in Maryland’s Fifth District, across the state, and around the country.
“Starting today, as a result of Congress’s failure to achieve a big and balanced solution to deficits, our national security and military readiness will be weakened as civilian workers are prevented from carrying out their important work because of furloughs.
As Congress returns to session this week, the hard-working civilians in the Department of Defense who keep our country safe are facing the beginning of furloughs as a result of the sequester. For those Republicans who’ve forgotten about the sequester or say it doesn’t have an impact, here’s a refresher of what it means to thousands of Americans:
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
On Monday, our nation marked the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, signed by President John F. Kennedy. While we've made progress in opening the doors of opportunity for women, we must take additional action to ensure equal pay for equal work, including swift consideration and passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor.
“The National Defense Authorization Act for 2014 is an important demonstration of Congress’s support for our troops and for those who work to advance a strong national defense.