WASHINGTON (July 18, 2023) – House Republicans last Friday upended six decades of bipartisan tradition in passing a National Defense Authorization Act laden with divisive culture-war amendments, including one that would prevent the Pentagon from considering climate change in its strategic planning and war games, contravening a 2021 executive order signed by President Biden.
Kevin S. Curtis, executive director of the NRDC Action Fund, issued the following statement:
“The House-passed bill puts our armed forces and national security at risk by blocking the Pentagon from considering the impacts of climate change. How stupid – and reckless – is this?
“In adopting this absurd amendment on climate–in addition to others aimed at reproductive health and diversity–House Republicans voted to play political games with our national security and military readiness, all to appease the fossil fuel lobby and secure the votes of the most extreme members of their party. They put politics over science and common sense, and we intend to make sure voters understand this in 2024.
“The Senate should reject House Republicans’ obsession with the culture wars and return to the tradition of supporting our national security needs with overwhelming bipartisan support.”
