N.J. House members vote along party lines on NDAA

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the U.S. House this morning on a largely party-line 219-210 vote, with none of New Jersey’s 12 House members straying from their caucus; all three of the state’s Republicans voted for the bill, and all nine Democrats voted against.

The vote came less than 12 hours after the House finished approving a long series of amendments, many of which pushed the bill in a strong socially conservative direction. Democrats cited those amendments – which limit the Department of Defense’s abortion funding, target diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, and more – as the reason for their no votes.

“This bill is nothing more than a Republican wish list disguised as a national security bill,” Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) said in a statement. “Today’s MAGA Republicans have shown that they would rather continue to push bigoted, racist and economically-irresponsible legislation than pay our brave soldiers, promote military commanders, and improve the safety and security of our country.”

With a couple of minor exceptions, New Jersey Democrats were united in their opposition to the amendments when they came up for a vote yesterday.

The state’s Republicans, however, were more torn. Reps. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) and Chris Smith (R-Manchester) voted for most of the amendments, but they balked at some failed proposals slashing aid to Ukraine and NATO; Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis), on the other hand, voted for virtually every conservative amendment brought to the floor.

“This critical legislation reinforces our commitment to national security, provides necessary resources for our armed forces, and supports our military personnel and their families,” Kean said in a statement after the bill passed today. “I am proud to be part of the bipartisan coalition that came together to prioritize our nation’s defense capabilities and ensure a strong and secure future for America.”

When the NDAA first cleared the Armed Services Committee last month, it did so on a vote of 58-1, with three New Jersey Democrats on the committee – Reps. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), and Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) – all voting in favor.

But the amendments adopted yesterday made all but four House Democrats oppose the final bill. And with Democrats in control of both the Senate and the White House, the amended bill has basically no chance of being signed into law, meaning the whole process will have to play out again later in the year.

“The inmates are running the asylum,” quipped Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson). “After this week’s defense bill disaster, what else can you say?”