Buddy Carter, U.S. House of Representatives, Georgia First District
NO MORE EXCUSES
As you know, earlier this year the House and the Senate passed the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is the primary way Congress meets its most important constitutional obligation to “provide for the common defense.” It advances the vital funding and authorities that America’s military requires. In an era of unprecedented threats, uncertainty, and technological change, the legislation ensures America’s Armed Forces are agile, efficient, ready, and lethal.
Even though this legislation passed with a bipartisan majority, the President chose to use our military and national security as a bargaining chip and vetoed the bill. While it’s shameful Congress even had to vote on this legislation again, the House passed a revised measure this week with my support. The revised NDAA contains the same critical provisions in the original legislation to reject cuts to bases, protect weapons programs, and support troops while authorizing less in spending than was included in the original NDAA.
With the legislation cleared in the House this week President Obama has no more excuses. I strongly urge the President to stop playing dangerous games with our national security and put our troops and veterans ahead of party politics.
THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE
Also this week, President Obama announced his administration is rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline. Not to be confused with the Palmetto Pipeline, the Keystone Pipeline would carry up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day 875 miles from Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska. From there, the oil would go to refineries in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. Because the pipeline crosses a national border, it requires federal approval in the form of a Presidential Permit.
The Obama Administration’s decision to reject the Keystone Pipeline is a direct attack on American jobs and our national security. The Pipeline would create thousands of jobs and offset the oil we import from often hostile countries with oil from one of our longest-standing allies without a dime from the taxpayers. However, yet again, the President of the United States has put party politics ahead of what is best for our nation and the American people.
I strongly condemn this decision and will look to pursue every avenue possible to get this pipeline up and running. I refuse to stand idly as our addiction to foreign oil grows as threats around the world increase.
