Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st District | Official U.S. House headshot
Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced the successful passage of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), aimed at prohibiting the use of Department of Defense funds for constructing or maintaining a pier off the coast of Gaza. This amendment ensures that taxpayer dollars are utilized in ways that directly bolster U.S. national security and military readiness.
"From a purely cost-based analysis, investing in a pier off the coast of Gaza is an inefficient use of our defense budget,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. “The pier project has proven to be a logistical nightmare, with significant challenges and costs far outweighing any potential benefits. Our taxpayer dollars should be dedicated to projects that directly enhance our national security. This amendment ensures that our military resources are allocated responsibly, prioritizing the safety and security of the United States.”
Key provisions of the amendment include:
1. Prohibition on Construction and Maintenance: The amendment explicitly states that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Defense may be used to construct, maintain, or repair a pier off the coast of Gaza. This ensures that DOD funds are not allocated to infrastructure projects outside the scope of U.S. national security interests.
2. Restriction on Humanitarian Aid Transportation: The amendment also prohibits the use of DOD funds to transport humanitarian aid to a pier off the coast of Gaza, or to any other location from where such aid will be transported to a pier off the coast of Gaza. This provision ensures that DOD resources are not diverted from their primary mission.
3. Deployment of Armed Forces: The amendment prevents the deployment of members of the Armed Forces for constructing, maintaining, or repairing a pier off the coast of Gaza, or transporting humanitarian aid to such locations. This restriction ensures that military personnel are not deployed for activities unrelated to direct national defense.
4. Exception for Deconstruction and Removal: The amendment allows for using funds to deconstruct and remove any existing pier off the coast of Gaza. This exception ensures that necessary actions can be taken without violating prohibition.
For media inquiries, please contact Gabrielle.Lipsky@mail.house.gov.
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