Larson: Republicans Failed Our Military in Favor of Their Culture War Agenda

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement following the House vote on the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act. 

“Once again, House Republicans have politicized legislation that was voted out of Armed Services Committee with bipartisan support," said Larson. "Because of their amendments, this bill is no longer focused on our national security and supporting our servicemembers and is instead another culture war effort that will harm our troops and their families, especially those who are women, people of color, or LGBTQ+.  

“I want to thank Rep. Joe Courtney for his tireless work advocating for Connecticut priorities in the NDAA. The bipartisan bill he helped shepherd through the Armed Services Committee fully funded the Engine Core Upgrade program, an F-35 engine modernization program, while stripping any funds for an alternate engine that would cost taxpayers billions of dollars. I am proud to represent machinists across Connecticut’s First District and will continue to work with Rep. Courtney and House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro to champion the most advanced production fighter engine ever built,” Larson continued. 

“It’s time for House Republicans to put aside the partisan games and put forth a clean NDAA and join us in working hand-in-hand with the Senate and President Biden to deliver for our servicemembers, support our machinists, strengthen our national security, and reaffirm our relationships with our allies,” Larson concluded. 

Rep. Larson has long been a champion for the Connecticut-built F135 engine program and is co-chair of the bipartisan Joint Strike Fighter Caucus. His leadership helped secure half a billion in funding to support F135 modernization and protect tens of thousands of Connecticut jobs. 
 

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