07.08.16

Hoeven Statement on Thursday's Filibuster of the Defense Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked a vote to bring the National Defense Appropriations bill to the floor for debate and a vote:

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked with my colleagues to pass a strong National Defense Appropriations bill. The measure passed out of committee unanimously, with bipartisan support. Yesterday, however, the bill did not get the 60 votes necessary to bring it to the floor for debate and a vote. This bill includes vital funding for our military at a time when they are facing challenges both abroad and at home, including in North Dakota. These challenges include replacing the aging Huey helicopters with Black Hawks to guard missile fields at Minot and other bases; modernizing our nuclear arsenal and also supporting UAS research, training and the Global Hawk mission in Grand Forks.

“The National Defense Appropriations bill is a priority for the nation and for North Dakota. We need to build bipartisan support and pass it in a timely fashion.

-###-