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Hudson Defends Servicemembers' Right to Tobacco

April 4, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2014
Hudson Defends Servicemembers’ Right to Tobacco
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), a Member of the House Agriculture Committee, responded to a potential ban of tobacco use and sales on Navy bases, ships and Marine Corps facilities.
“Each and every day, our servicemen and women risk their lives, devoting themselves fully to defending the United States in the face of growing national security threats. The fact that a ban on sales of a legal product is even being considered is absurd and just another example of this Administration’s desire to regulate every part of our lives,” said Rep. Hudson.

“Instead of making unilateral decisions that encroach on the rights and personal freedoms of our servicemen and women, Secretary Mabus should focus resources on preserving the readiness of our Navy and maintaining our national security. I will continue to fight to protect the rights of our American patriots who dedicate their lives to defending our freedom, securing our homeland, and protecting our democracy.”
Rep. Hudson authored a letter, signed by nearly 20 Members of Congress, to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus urging him to focus resources on projects that directly impact operations and national security rather than a review of tobacco use and sales in the Navy. Additionally, Rep. Hudson joined Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-50) and Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-17) to submit an appropriations request to prohibit funds from being used for such a review or for the purpose of terminating tobacco sales or use in our military in FY15 Defense Appropriations bill.
The appropriations request can be viewed here.
The letter to Sec. Mabus can be viewed here.
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