Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, which ultimately passed this morning by a vote of 310-118:

“Our nation’s military should be solely focused on maintaining the most lethal fighting force in the world. Yet during backroom negotiations with the Senate, the conservative wins that House Republicans fought for to ensure the Pentagon prioritizes training our warfighters were recklessly removed, while destructive policies that weaken our military were injected into this critical legislation. From taxpayer-funded abortion travel and transgender surgeries to gender and racial ideologies, this year’s NDAA contains numerous woke policies that are rotting our great military from the inside out.

“Furthermore, one of the most egregious provisions, a clean reauthorization of FISA, was foolishly attached to the NDAA. By extending FISA with zero reforms, Congress carelessly greenlit additional warrantless surveillance of the American people — representing a complete disregard for our Fourth Amendment rights. This unconstitutional measure also brazenly violates our House rules, as FISA is not germane to our annual defense policy bill.

“As a 28-year Navy combat veteran, I certainly understand and support strengthening our nation’s readiness through bolstering our military’s defense capabilities and investing in our servicemembers. Yet I will never betray the men and women who answer the call of duty by allowing the Biden Administration’s woke agenda to further tarnish our military, hinder recruitment and retention efforts, and distract our warfighters. I’m severely disappointed that Members in both parties and both chambers impetuously supported the harmful policies and FISA reauthorization in this year’s NDAA in order to get home early for Christmas. Our military — and our nation — deserve better.”