House approves $886 billion war budget for FY2024

 The House last night approved the National Defense Authorization Bill (HR2670) to provide funding for the Dept of Defense and other war making agencies of the federal government, including some very right-wing amendments offered by Republicans.   Here is the story:  https://www.commondreams.org/news/four-house-dems-join-gop-to-pass-886-billion-military-bill-packed-with-right-wing-amendments  Amendments from progressive members of Congress were removed from the final bill.

Note that four Democrats voted with the Republicans for the bill, including Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Wash. state (Vancouver).

Also important is that this bill approved an amount $28 billion larger than last years budget.  And I does not include the amendment which would have moved $100 billion from the budget to domestic needs, like affordable housing, infrastructure repair, water system repairs, funds to reduce student debt and so much more. 

All Oregon Dems voted No; all Oregon Republicans voted Yes. See https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023328   

Now the Senate needs to enact their version, and assuming that it will be different from the House version it will go to a joint committee of the House and Senate for negotiations and working out a final version for both the House and Senate to approve (or not).  This process is on a fast track for completion asap.  

I would recommend calls to our representatives thanking OR Dem for their NO votes  asking that their issue statement explaining why they voted No.  

Find your representative/senator contact info here:  https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member   

Please use the Common Dreams article (link above) for talking points. 

Thanks,