Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith fired back at Republican’s claim that a vote against the NDAA is a vote against our troops:

"Speaker Boehner says it is "shameful" for Democrats to vote against this year's NDAA, because, he claims, opposing the NDAA is opposing our troops.  But Speaker Boehner voted against the NDAA in 2009 and 2010 with well over 100 of his fellow Republicans joining him both times.  If he thinks it is so shameful to vote against the NDAA then somebody should ask the Speaker how he lives with his own shame.

"Now, of course, there is nothing shameful about making a legitimate policy choice to oppose the NDAA or any other bill.  I'm sure the Speaker had his reasons in 2009 and 2010 just as Democrats have theirs this year.  But it is hypocritical and the height of shameless partisan pandering for him to now claim that a vote against the NDAA is a vote against the troops.  It is not.  Regardless of whether we support the NDAA or not, we all support the brave men and women of our military who defend this country.  Speaker Boehner is only implying otherwise in order to score cheap partisan points. Shame on him."