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Washington D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) made the following statement after his appointment by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to serve as an outside conferee on the bipartisan House-Senate Conference Committee to resolve differences in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

“I am honored to be named a conferee for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As Lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I’m well aware of the growing threats to our nation – from Iran to Russia – and know they require our full and immediate attention. I will work to ensure the NDAA Conference report provides the men and women who defend our country with the tools they need to confront any challenge they face around the globe. Of note, we need to ensure we are best postured to address the growing threat and capability of the Chinese military. 

“Unfortunately, the partisan bill forced through the House by the Democrats goes in the wrong direction on many fronts.  Most concerning, it would preemptively tie the President’s hands on Iran.  As we have watched this week, Iran continues its dangerous and destabilizing behavior. I will do all I can to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to ensure this and other dangerous provisions are not in the final measure.”

NOTE: Because the House and Senate passed different versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020, a bicameral conference committee is being established to negotiate a final version that would be re-submitted to both chambers for consideration. Last evening, the House appointed conferees, including the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over dozens of sections included in the House and Senate texts.

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