Rep. Ilhan Omar Submits 6 Amendments for National Defense Budget

WASHINGTON–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced six amendments to the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The first amendment blocks the sale of F35s and other weapons to the UAE, a global human rights abuser. The second amendment requires reporting on recent security assistance to Mali, Guinea, and Chad. The third amendment adds reporting on human rights and civilian casualties to the Afghanistan Commission. The fourth amendment requires strategy on US policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The fifth amendment requires impact assessments on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions. The sixth amendment requires a strategy for addressing root causes of human trafficking and slavery in Libya, and holds perpetrators accountable.

Rep. Omar's bill language was also included in an amendment included in the State Authorization Bill introduced by Rep. Meeks and Rep. McCaul. The amendment codifies the Office of Global Criminal Justice. Rep. Malinowski also introduced an amendment that includes language previously introduced by Rep. Omar that sanctions Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and other Saudi officials involved in the Jamal Khashoggi murder.

"Our defense budget should reflect our values," said Rep. Omar. "It's not moral to spend billions of dollars on endless wars that damage our reputation abroad and do not make us safer in the United States. We must center the needs of the American people, not write blank checks to appease defense contractors and special interests. I was proud to introduce amendments that will uphold universal human rights and limit our global military presence. I hope we can produce a defense budget that meets our national security needs and prioritizes the everyday needs of the American people."

The amendments introduced by Rep. Omar include:

• Omar #61– blocks the sale of F35s and other weapons to the UAE
• Omar #62– requires reporting on recent security assistance to Mali, Guinea, and Chad
• Omar #63– adds reporting on human rights and civilian casualties to the Afghanistan Commission created by the bill
• Omar #781– requires strategy on US policy towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Garcia/Omar #765– requires impact assessments on the humanitarian consequences of sanctions
• Omar #817– requires a strategy for addressing root causes of human trafficking and slavery in Libya, and holds perpetrators accountable

You can view the full text of the amendments here.

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