U.S. Rep. Dr. Mark Green (R-TN-07) was selected Tuesday to serve on the House-Senate Conference Committee for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
House Minority Leader U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-22) made the announcement.
The Conference Committee is tasked with reconciling the defense authorization bills passed separately by the Senate and the House into a final version for the upcoming year.
Green said in a statement, “It is an honor to serve on the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Committee. Having served for 24 years in the United States Army and with Fort Campbell in my district, I look forward to working with my colleagues toward swift passage of a final bill that ensures America’s sons and daughters are the best trained, the best equipped—and that when they go to war, it’s never a fair fight.”
“We must address real challenges to our nation’s security and prosperity, provide for the common defense, and support our courageous military service members as they defend America’s families, our values, and our way of life,” Green said.
McCarthy said, “West Pointer, decorated soldier, physician—Mark’s incredible accomplishments prior to entering elected office are truly admirable and have provided him with a unique perspective that will make him an invaluable member on this year’s list of conferees. Despite being new to Congress, he has already spent nearly 25 years serving his country, which included several deployments to the Middle East.”
“He is committed to achieving peace through strength, and I am confident he will advocate for policies that will protect our Nation and keep our troops healthy on and off the battlefield,” McCarthy said.
Green, a combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, will get his chance to use his military knowledge in hammering out final details on NADA, a bill that has been the subject of intense partisanship in Congress.
U.S. Rep. Dr. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) in July lambasted Democrats for politicizing NADA, meaning what is traditionally a bipartisan support of national defense passed 220-197 on a party-line vote without Republican support, The Tennessee Star reported.
The House approved the bill after adopting a progressive amendment including a prohibition on deploying lower-yield nuclear weapons and a ban on sending new prisoners to the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Roll Call said.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
