Posted on 07/26/2018 10:14:43 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a defense authorization bill that restricts any drawdown of American troops in South Korea.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, which approves $716 billion for defense in fiscal year 2019, passed the House by a vote of 359-54. Upon Senate approval, it will be sent to US President Donald Trump to sign into law.
The bill notes that about 28,500 American troops are currently stationed in South Korea as a demonstration of the US commitment to the bilateral alliance.
Their "significant removal" is "a non-negotiable item as it relates to the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization" of North Korea, the bill says under a section describing the Sense of Senate on US military forces on the Korean Peninsula.
In a conference report accompanying the legislation, Congress also prohibits the use of the funds to reduce the troops' number below 22,000 without certification from the secretary of defense that "such a reduction is in the national security interest of the United States and will not significantly undermine the security of United States allies in the region."
The defense secretary would also be required to certify that he has "appropriately consulted with allies of the United States, including the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan, regarding such a reduction."
The restriction comes as Trump has repeatedly indicated a willingness to eventually pull out American forces from South Korea. Critics say such a move would play into the hands of China and North Korea, which wish to see US troops removed from near their border.
This is all about tying Trumps hand to reign in little rocket man. They cannot allow Trump to be successful.
Since when does the Congress determine the amount of troops in any theater?
This is an unauthorized power grab.
Is it just me or did the House leave crap for the senate to do while they were gone to give McConnell cover for not recessing? They won’t go out of session and let DJT do any recess appointments. Mitch baby said to much work to do. BS. They can’t leave the Donald loose. IMO
Unconstitutional.
Is Congress now in charge? President Trump is president and it is up to him to keep or remove US troops. Congress can pay for them or not. Seems like this is just more backstabbing by Congress.
Trump will veto it. As well he should.
Glad we have Congress to keep us there forever.
And Paulievramming it through. Trump will sign it to give our troops a raise and more equipment
Sheer puffery by the chicken littles in the House. Paul Ryan doing his best to hobble Donald Trump before he rides off into the loving arms of his open borders/cheap labor paymasters when he retires at the end of the year.
The repubs gelding & quislings are fortunate that the lunatic dims are the alternative. What losers.
Looks like the bill is Veto Proof, unless the president just wants the public to know exactly who is supporting it.
Ridiculous. Do these people have the nation’s interest in mind or is it November. Sounds like a status quo vote. Don’t upset the applecart. Trump will veto it. Upsetting the apple cart is what he’s all about.
We MUST gain big in the midterms. Yes, some of them are traitorous Rinos, but we’ll be gaining some true conservatives, too. And thank the Lord, that rat Lyin Ryan won’t be Speaker anymore. Pray without ceasing.
Time to get rid of the RINOs and elect true representatives of the people.
The war machine keeps turning.
Makes me wonder who in congress is making money having troops in Korea......
Wall Street.
And then you get this, John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act,
The POS is not even dead yet and they are dedicating Acts to him. Wait until the traitor crokes and hell half the shiite that will come out of this cesspool will be dedicated to him
Roll it up and toss it MR. President.
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