On the recordJuly 14, 2016
today I supported the junior Senator from Alaska's motion to instruct the National Defense Authorization Act conferees. The motion is generally consistent with the administration's force structure proposals for Afghanistan, Europe, the Pacific, and the Middle East. It also is consistent with last year's bipartisan budget agreement. The motion does not appropriate additional funding above the agreed upon spending caps, nor does it violate the parity principle on which that agreement was based, which ensures that the middle class will be treated at least as fairly as the Pentagon. President Obama and congressional Democrats remain committed to that principle, and we will continue to insist that Republicans keep their promises and honor our agreement. ____________________
