Congressman Stephen Lynch (D. MA.) spoke at a meeting of 30 to 40 constituents in South Boston on July 13. Bill Ferguson of The LaRouche Organization brought up the NDAA.
Ferguson: ...There’s a specific provision in it that I think is insane. We just celebrated the 250th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from the British Empire, and this Section 219 in the NDAA basically calls for a merger of the US Military Industrial Complex with the Israel Defense Force, and I can’t, that’s insane, we do not need to be entangled with a foreign...
Lynch: That would be a violation of the Constitution
Ferguson: ...Yes, and it’s a proposed law, and there’s going to be votes on that very soon. I’m here to urge you to do everything you can to make sure that doesn’t pass.
Lynch: There’s actually, just the opposite, there’s a provision that’s up this week which is by Thomas Massie, the Republican representative...from Kentucky, that would delete the $3 billion that is currently provided separately for Israel. Not only would there not be a merger, there would be a defunding of the military support for Israel. So that’s on the floor this week, which I will support.
Ferguson: I’m glad to hear that.
Lynch: it’s $3.3 billion actually. Israel is strong enough to defend itself, you know, and also their Prime Minister has not been an ally for us in terms of...in the past there have been strong relationships there, but right now, under this administration, under that administration, we don’t have that friendship and that cooperation. They’re doing things totally against the interests of the United States, in Gaza and in the West Bank.
Ferguson: And in this war we’re in right now.
Lynch: Right.
Ferguson: I’m happy to hear that you’re going to work on that. I’m working on it too, I’ve been distributing literature and calling people.( Bill showed him and the audience the TLO “Stop the NDAA...” leaflet
Lynch: Oh, good.
Ferguson: We’re going to be putting a lot of pressure on the next couple of days.
Lynch: Thanks for your good work.
Later he spoke to Bill privately about how Speaker Johnson is trying to split the Democrats on this using the NY House delegation etc. and complaining that some of what we have been giving Israel for “Defense” is being used against the Palestinians in Gaza. His aide took copies of the NDAA leaflet and the Kucinich marching orders.
Later Bill recorded a 2.5 minute video report from the nearby Dorchester Heights Monument urging viewers to do likewise with their own Congress members, to “take their shot” for American Independence.
