Thread by @CraigCaplan

House NOW debating the final House-Senate #FY21NDAA defense programs and policy bill. Armed Services Chair Smith is managing the debate for Democrats, and retiring Ranking Member Thornberry, whom the bill is named after, for the Republicans.

House Armed Services Chair Smith on NDAA troop withdrawal limit provision:"We need to get out of Afghanistan, but we need to do it responsibility. It is a way crazy overstatement to say that we prevent a chief executive from pulling out of Afghanistan.This bill does not do that."

Chair Smith on NDAA:"If we don't pass this bill and exercise oversight, we are ceding authority to the executive branch, authority that is too great already...Let's not walk away from our biggest opportunity every year to exercise that legislative oversight. This is a good bill."

Pelosi:"The President has threatened to veto this legislation.I hope not. This bipartisan policy bill has been signed into law for 59 consecutive yrs. Let us urge the President to show respect for the work of the bicameral,bipartisan Congress & for the sacrifice of our military."

Pelosi on NDAA: "I urge a strong bipartisan vote for this legislation, which upholds our values, honors our troops, and keeps the American people safe. And I hope that it will be swiftly signed into law."

Incoming House Armed Services Cmte Top Republican Mike Rogers (AL) on NDAA: "I'd like to thank Ranking Members Thornberry and Chairman Smith for their leadership in this essential process to ensure America's security."

House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) on 2021 defense policy bill: "I'm proud to support this year's NDAA and I urge all my colleagues to vote for ir."

Majority Leader Hoyer from House floor in support of NDAA: "The bill needs to pass overwhelmingly and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for it."

Outgoing House Armed Services Cmte Top Republican Mac Thornberry (TX) on NDAA: "I also appreciate the generous words of my colleagues and having my name attached to this bil. This bill is one which I am very proud."

Thornberry (R-TX) in support of NDAA: "Without this bill, both the troops and America's national security will be hurt. Now members need to understand that and accept responsibility for the consequences of their vote."

Thornberry (R-TX): "That damage that would happen without this bill cannot be papered over with some executive order or any appropriation bill, and it won't or can't be repaired by a new bill in a new Congress with a new Administration."

Thornberry addressing President's veto threat of NDAA:"It does nothing about the legal liability of social media cos.All of those things needs attention, some kind of action.But our troops should not be punished because this bill does not fix everything that needs to be fixed..."

Thornberry: "...or it doesn't have a provision exactly the way that we would want it. The main reason this bill has been signed into law every year for 59 straight years is because of its substance."

Chair Smith on President's NDAA veto threat:"The President is 1 of the people this yr who near the end of the process said,you know,I want to fix that.He wanted to fix something about Section 230,having to do w/social media platforms & went looking for the only possible vehicle."

HASC Chair Smith (D-WA): "That section is not going to be addressed in this bill. You cannot address Section 230 and pass a defense bill or you cannot address Section 230 & not pass a defense bill. There is no choice here where you can do both. So please make the right choice."