(NETWORK INDIANA) Sen. Mike Braun will not be voting for the National Defense Authorization Act. But, it has less to do with the bill’s amendment that says any money used in action against Iran must be approved by Congress, and more to do with the money.
“I remember in the first debate we did in the primary, I was asked what would you do to bring budget deficits under control. They thought I was giving a glib answer by saying, cutting it across tyhe board,” said Braun, in a Tuesday phone call.
He said across the board cuts were something any business or CEO would do, or even Indiana state government, if they were in a financial situation with deficits.
“If you cut back two percent a year, you can actually solve the deficits in as little as five or six years. That would be within the realm of easy in any other place other than here,” said Braun, describing a plan put forth by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky).
As Braun pointed out, he has talked about a balanced budget and eliminating government deficits and overspending since the beginning of his campaign for Senate. A bipartisan amendment was written into the bill to put a check on military action by the president without the approval of Congress. Braun pointed out that he believes Congress should take back its say in whether the country goes to war. But, he defended Trump’s handling of the situation in Iran.
Congressman Andre Carson led other Democrats in calling Trump’s handling of the possible military strike haphazard.
“President Trump’s strategy towards Iran has been aimless, impetuous, and downright dangerous. His actions are devoid of tactical coherence and have created enormous unrest in the global community,” said Carson, Monday.
A vote on the NDAA could happen as early as Thursday. Debate on the $750 billion plan was stopped by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Monday, delaying a vote which might’ve happened Monday evening or Tuesday.
Braun said he is in favor of giving our troops a raise, but believes before we commit to an enormous spending bill, Congress should make the across the board cuts he believe will help pull us out of a large hole.
Meanwhile, Sen. Todd Young differs from his colleague Mike Braun. Young supports the National Defense Authorization Act, which funds the military, and many of Indiana’s military interests that include jobs for Hoosiers. Braun said Tuesday he supports defense, but the bill is part of government overspending.
Young called the bill one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress will consider. It spends $750 billion.
“I’m proud that it gives our troops the first significant pay increse in roughly a decade,” he said.
Young also said he hopes two amendments he wrote or had a part in are considered. One, he says, insures Indiana stays on the cutting edge of defense technologies. The other would name a U.S. ship after Sen. Richard Lugar.
“This should earn bipartisan support. I hope for the good of the country it does this year, as well.”
