AUGUSTA – Maine GOP Chair Dr. Demi Kouzounas released the following statement on Jared Golden, Chellie Pingree, and House Democrats short-changing the Department of Defense by $15 billion:

“With every passing day, it becomes more clear that Jared Golden’s campaign promise to support our troops was nothing but a ruse to help him steal the 2018 election. In fact, Jared Golden, Chellie Pingree, and the extreme-left House Democrats in Congress just put partisan politics over the safety of our troops and our country.

“Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree both rejected consideration of a bipartisan version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that overwhelmingly passed the Senate two weeks ago by a vote of 86-8 and instead supported a House version that short-changes the Department of Defense (DoD) to the tune of $15 billion.

“As a veteran who served overseas, I’m beyond disappointed that Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree are more interested in appeasing the radical left than fully funding our nation’s defense.

“From ensuring our current service members are kept safe overseas, to creating and sustaining jobs at major employers like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Bath Iron Works, Maine is greatly impacted by NDAA funding. By drastically reducing DoD funding, Jared and Chellie are selling out Mainers to gain a few points with the leaders of their party.”