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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding today’s votes on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“Once again the Senate was asked to vote on a conference report and final National Defense Authorization Act that was never considered by the full Senate. It is inexcusable that Senator Harry Reid and the Democratic leadership prohibits the Senate from having any input on the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding for our troops and Pentagon operations and is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress considers each year. 

“Senate Democrats refused to consider amendments that I offered to increase base pay for our servicemen and women, to direct lethal aid to Ukraine, to encourage greater utilization of modeling and simulation technology for training efficiencies and to study ways to improve the eastern range complex at Cape Canaveral. I will fight to pass all these important measures when Republicans take over the Senate in January.

“While this legislation could be vastly improved, I supported final passage because it provides the Department of Defense the authorizations needed to continue the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and other critical national security and military spending. This bill also contains important reforms to combat sexual assault in the military, an issue that requires our continued vigilance. It would be an understatement to say this take-it-or-leave-it bill is far from perfect, and the way in which it was handled is truly outrageous. Our men and women in uniform deserve better from congressional leaders, and I hope a new Congress means this is the last time something as important as the funding of our troops and security of our nation is developed in this manner.”