Following the approval by the House of Representatives, the record breaking budget ($340.5 billion) went to the Senate. The Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act - 2021 by a Yes vote of 84 - 13 No vote. Oregon was only one of two states where both of our US Senators voted No, joining Oregon House members Blumenauer and Bonomici, who also voted No. MA was the other state with both senators voting No.

Please contact both Sen Wyden and Merkley with your thank you for their support for trimming the annual war budget and voting no on the budget itself.

President Trump promised to veto the NDAA if it including provision for changed base names to rid us of names which honor confederate and civil war generals. The bill includes that provision.  But in  spite of his threat, such a veto is not expected.

The Senate vote on HR6395 is available here. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/116-2020/s264?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email

What does this all buy America?  Read the DOD Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Request:  https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2021/fy2021_Weapons.pdf for a detailed look at the weapons systems funded.

Perspective on the military budget by Mike Klare/Tom Dispatch:  Trump Pernicious Military Legacy: From the Forever Wars to the Cataclysmic Wars.

While Congress and the President have been trying to negotiate a COVID-19 relief package hopefully to benefit the American people, Congress has easily approved a $740.5 billion defense funding bill for 2021, which largely benefits the Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex's private military contractors. Democrats and Republicans are again united as the American War Party. This bill was approved in an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 335 - 78 with more Democrats (195) than Republicans (140) voting in favor.

Only 37 House Democrats voted No. Included in the number were Oregon Representatives Blumenuaer, and Bonamici.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, following its approval by the House a couple days ago.

We need to call Sen Merkley and Sen Wyden office and urge that they vote NO. The House bill originally included amendments which would have put some brakes on endless war, the American assisted Saudi War on Yemen, required preauthorization of war against Iran, Venezuela and more. All those provisions got stripped out of the Conference bill which is now being voted in the Senate. Additionally, this budget increases the war budget over all prior budgets, calling for spending $738 billion. "Defense" budget should be decreased by 10% per year, not increased.

Please call Sen Merkley and Sen Wyden, called for them to vote NO!

This script has been provided by Win Without War.:

I'm a constituent from Oregon and I'm calling to urge the Senator to vote NO on the fiscal year 2020 NDAA, on the floor tomorrow. The Senate cannot authorize $738 billion in Pentagon funding with almost nothing to constrain the Trump administration’s erratic and reckless foreign policy! This year can no longer be business as usual.

Thank you!
And here are phone numbers for the two Senators
Sen. Ron Wyden (202) 224-5244
Sen. Jeff Merkley (202) 224-3753

The Oregon Progressive Party sent this letter to Senators Wyden and Merkley asking they support two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Dear Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley:

The Oregon Progressive Party supports the two amendments passed by the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act which restrict the Trump administration’s ability to initiate a war with Iran without Congressional approval and withdraws US support of the Saudi led coalition military attacks on Yemen. We call upon each of you to support and push for these amendments in the Senate version of the bill.

The Oregon Progressive Party sent this letter to Senators Wyden and Merkley asking they support two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Dear Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley:

The Oregon Progressive Party supports the two amendments passed by the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act which restrict the Trump administration’s ability to initiate a war with Iran without Congressional approval and withdraws US support of the Saudi led coalition military attacks on Yemen. We call upon each of you to support and push for these amendments in the Senate version of the bill.

In a further assault on first amendment rights, the American Congress approved H.R. 347: Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011. When it comes to civil liberties, all to often the Republicans and Democrats stand together to place new and unconstitutional restrictions on the right of people to speak and to assemble. Note that in the House, all of Oregon's congressional delegation except Suzanne Bonamici voted in favor; in the Senate there was a voice vote by Unanimous Consent and no record was kept. Rep Bonamici voted yes on the measure which adopted the Senate version of the law, thereby allowing the House to vote. She did not vote on the final bill. The bill has gone to President Obama for his signature.