North Fulton Today

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) wants to cut the fat out of the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

"Republicans added $25 billion to the  bill that isn’t necessary to carry out the Biden Administration’s defense strategy, and yet they continue to oppose the Build Back Better investments we need here at home," the congresswoman said in a news release. "I am hopeful that working with my colleagues in House and Senate leadership, we can reach a version of the bill that spends as efficiently as possible on defense, leaving more resources for where they are truly needed.”

She and U.S. Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)) and Mondaire Jones (D-NY) wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer outlining their spending priorities.

"We ask that as the House and Senate work toward a final version of the FY2022 NDAA, we restore topline funding to a level that allows us to defend our nation and promote global security while also curbing waste," the lawmakers wrote. “This is our chance to chart a path toward thoughtful defense budgeting. We look forward to working with you on the best possible final FY22 NDAA and the goals we share as a Democratic caucus.”

Williams, Jacobs and Jones said they voted against the NDAA.

"We cast ‘nay’ votes on final passage of H.R. 4350 to prompt bicameral efforts to restore the bill’s funding to a level that meets the goal of the Democratic caucus to reduce wasteful defense spending," they wrote. "We urge you to work toward this goal in a final NDAA legislative vehicle while preserving the wins members and leadership achieved in the House product."

The NDAA comes up for approval each year.

"While a version of the legislation already passed in the House, more work remains to reach a final product that achieves consensus between members of the House and Senate as well as President Joe Biden," Williams said in her news release. "Congresswoman Williams led this letter to ensure key priorities are articulated to House and Senate leadership while  improvements can be made."