The next is a transcript of an interview with Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, that aired on “Face the Nation” on July 16, 2023.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re joined by the Chairman of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, Texas Republican Consultant Mike McCaul. Welcome again.
HOUSE FOREIGN RELATIONS CHAIRMAN REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL: Thanks for having me.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’ve quite a bit to get to with you, however I wish to begin on the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act, which handed the Republican managed Home and it was- it drew plenty of consideration this week due to the social coverage points connected to it. So it is a invoice, it pays army personnel, does issues essential for nationwide safety. As soon as this goes to the Senate, they’ll chop out all these issues, you realize that. It comes again to you within the Home. Are you assured that Republicans can get this essential piece of laws via with out having to show to Democrats that will help you get it over the end line?
REP. MCCAUL: You understand, we noticed the session when the Democrats had the bulk, they handed a really partisan, you realize, NDAA invoice, went over to the Senate, you realize, I am on the conference- we did the convention committee, and historically the extra partisan minutes get stripped out. On the finish of the day, this all the time finally ends up as a bipartisan invoice. However there have been some- sure insurance policies like as an example, the Hyde Modification since 1980 to not fund taxpayer abortions our members felt was crucial to place in there. I believe that is one that can survive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, you are speaking in regards to the provision that will prohibit funding to permit service members to journey.
REP. MCCAUL: And pay bills, yeah.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nevertheless it would not in any method, the Pentagon coverage, fund abortions.
REP. MCCAUL: Nicely, you realize, I want they hadn’t–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Or fertility companies.
REP. MCCAUL: They really sort of began this argument, and look, it is a course of, you realize. We had plenty of amendments, our members wanted that vote, and I do assume on the finish of the day, we come collectively as a convention and will probably be a bipartisan invoice. I believe there’s nothing extra vital than our nationwide protection and our army. We give the most important pay increase in 20 years. We improve our triad system and our- our nuclear capabilities, hypersonics, quite a bit to counter China and notably in Taiwan. So it is vitally vital we not politicize this invoice on the finish of the day, and I really feel very assured we’ll have a bipartisan invoice popping out.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Since you did vote to remove the range workplaces on the Pentagon, to disclaim transgender troops protection for hormone remedy, for this restriction on funding for individuals to get reproductive companies together with fertility remedies and abortions to journey. None of that you just assume leads to the ultimate bill–
[CROSSTALK]
REP. MCCAUL: That goes towards —
MARGARET BRENNAN: None of these issues will get Democratic votes —
REP. MCCAUL: Goes against- since 1980 we’ve not funded something that goes in the direction of taxpayer, you realize, abortions. I believe among the insurance policies on tradition that the- that the Protection Division has instituted has induced issues inside our personal army. Recruitment is at an all-time low now. After Afghanistan after which to look at these movies that these- these educated, you realize, say S.E.A.L.S. have to look at, you realize, injecting their very own social, ethical insurance policies. Let’s make it about readiness and our capacity to struggle a conflict.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely yeah, and that is why the Protection Secretary mentioned, what, one in 5 troops at the moment are feminine, and that- what he put this coverage in to have the ability to do is for them to journey to get issues that are not lined within the states they’re dwelling. So should- should not all troops, no matter the place they’re stationed, get the identical remedy? Like why penalize them for dwelling in Texas versus California?
[CROSSTALK]
REP. MCCAUL: Nicely they’re free- they’re free to journey to a different state to have- to have an abortion–
MARGARET BRENNAN: They might be penalized, they’d must take day without work.
REP. MCCAUL: Simply not at taxpayer expense.
MARGARET BRENNAN: They’d must take the day without work and the like, and so that will affect their capacity to do their jobs, arguably, proper? In the event that they must go on depart. Anyway, I wish to ask you about one of many issues that is in there- not in there, however many conservative members of your caucus needed it to, and people are restrictions on funding for Ukraine. What does that point out about what Republicans will recover from the end line within the fall by way of an precise supplemental to assist Ukraine?
REP. MCCAUL: Nicely you realize my place on Ukraine. We should always have a yr in the past been placing within the weapons we have been placing in simply now, for victory, not to- simply to outlive. There have been a number of Ukraine amendments, all of them failed, and I might say the vast majority of Republicans voted to help Ukraine. On the finish of the day, the Reagan Institute did a great- an awesome ballot that confirmed that over 70% of Republicans help Ukraine and I believe that was mirrored in our vote. Sure, we had about 70 members that voted towards it, however I do assume when it comes again, you are going to see a extra bipartisan help for issues like our efforts in Ukraine, notably as we’re within the counteroffensive. To me, it’s totally harmful to have these amendments when Ukraine is within the crossfire attempting to push the aggression of Russia again on the counteroffensive–
MARGARET BRENNAN: You are speaking amendments like what Marjorie Taylor Greene was attempting to connect and Republicans did oppose this factor that they —
[CROSSTALK]
REP. MCCAUL: Right. Right. We did. And it failed. And I believe that is excellent news.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You’ve got been pushing for longer vary missile programs like ATACMS. Do you might have sufficient funding on this present allotment or what you possibly can put collectively within the fall to proceed the tempo of weapons?
REP. MCCAUL: Certain. It was already appropriated within the supplemental final yr. You understand, the $90 billion. I imply, it is a drawdown authority. We now have ATACMS. I’ve nice sources on the bottom they usually’re telling me right- proper now, due to the mines and the fortifications that what they need- the cluster munitions will assist with, you realize, killing Russians within the subject; nonetheless, they want the longer vary artilleries to hit the depots, the vitality, the logistical provide traces, they do not have that, they usually do not have air cowl. That is actually vital right here. As a result of the F-16s have been held again so lengthy, by the administration, and the pilot coaching, that they do not have what they should win on this counteroffensive and it is actually unhappy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to ask you shortly about Iran. You’ve got been vocal in asking the administration for a briefing on the presidential envoy Rob Malley and why he’s suspended. Do you might have any promise that you will get it? That you’re going to get data?
REP. MCCAUL: Nicely, we sent- I despatched a letter. We have been rebuked. We now have been given no reply about his standing. Bear in mind, it is a high negotiator to Iran on one of the, you realize, nuclear weapons applications —
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah.
REP. MCCAUL: Highest categorised secrets and techniques. So we’re giving a deadline of July twenty fifth to have, you realize, the diplomatic safety and administration secretary are available and transient us in a categorised house. Margaret, I am unable to inform you how vital it’s because if he somehow- you realize, worst case state of affairs, transferred intelligence and secrets and techniques to our overseas adversaries–
MARGARET BRENNAN: However there is no proof of that at this level.
REP. MCCAUL: There is no proof of that, but when he did, that will be treason for my part.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sadly I’ve to depart it there. As a result of we’ve got a tough out right here. However extra to speak to you about as all the time. We’ll be proper again.
REP. MCCAUL: Thanks Margaret.
