Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), currently running for a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky, presents himself to voters as a critic of the “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiative. However, his voting record raises questions about his true stance, particularly regarding his support for the Pentagon.
Barr is one of two candidates, alongside Mitch McConnell, vying for a GOP nomination in the upcoming Senate race, with former Attorney General Daniel Cameron also in the mix. Cameron faced a setback in the 2023 gubernatorial race against Democrat Andy Beshear, despite backing from Donald Trump. The third candidate, businessman Nate Morris, has aligned himself with Trump and has caused noticeable tension within the Kentucky GOP since he joined the race, as reported by Breitbart News.
Barr, a long-serving member of Congress who participates in the House Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committee, entered the Senate race in April. In his campaign ads, he distinguishes himself from his rivals, claiming, “The awakened left literally wants to castrate America.” In one ad’s early moments, he declares that they despise American values and history, and, importantly, “they hate President Trump.”
During a two-minute video, while making his argument, text appears on-screen urging viewers to “Exit Radical Dei program.”
He established this campaign narrative in late August when his team was sending out text messages to Kentuckians.
Despite these bold claims, there seems to be a bit of hypocrisy in Barr’s campaign. His voting history indicates he often aligns with the opposite of what he now advocates.
Indeed, Barr voted for several National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bills, including one that promoted DEI policies within the U.S. military. In fact, one such version was so controversial that by the end of 2020, Donald Trump vetoed it primarily due to its liberal elements, which Barr had endorsed. Many conservatives, including Senator Ted Cruz, criticized the bill for prioritizing “Democrat objectives” over national security.
“The bill includes partisan priorities that have no connection to our national defense,” Cruz said back then, highlighting the demand to rename military bases as a politically motivated effort to erase historical context.
Trump’s disapproval of the NDAA came in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.
“My administration honors the legacy of countless American servicemen and women at these military bases,” Trump remarked.
Nevertheless, on December 8, 2020, when Nancy Pelosi was still the House Speaker, Barr was among the many members voting in favor of the NDAA. It garnered significant bipartisan backing, with 335 votes supporting it, including 140 Republicans and 195 Democrats, though the aspects included in the bill were telling.
The NDAA contains the word “diversity” at least 108 times over its 1,481 pages, raising eyebrows about whether Barr had truly read the legislation before casting his vote, as he has declined to comment on his actions as a voting member of Congress. Notably, the document’s title page indicates it strongly advocates for DEI within the Pentagon. One section specifically mentions the creation of a “Chief Diversity Officer,” who would be appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
Moreover, the act instructs the establishment of a committee to evaluate the renaming of military bases associated with the Confederacy. “The Secretary of Defense shall set up a committee to review the naming, modification, or removal of memorials and symbols associated with Confederate service members,” it states.
Trump’s rejection of this bill was one of his last significant actions before leaving office, yet the Democrats managed to override the veto with McConnell’s help, though Barr’s vote was absentee, as recorded in the House.
As 2021 came to a close, under Biden’s presidency and with Democrats holding control, Barr voted in favor of a new NDAA, which included even more stringent DEI provisions than the previous one he had supported. This new legislation garnered positive attention from Democrats, with the House Armed Services Committee celebrating it as a significant investment in America’s diverse talent pool.
The Democratic announcement characterized the bill as updating an “outdated diversity training requirement” and imposing a continuous DEI training program for military service branches.
The legislation also represented a 27% increase in DEI funding, exceeding $20 million, according to reports.
It’s uncertain whether Barr engaged with the bill’s content prior to voting, as he has avoided questions about it. The DEI elements were not hidden, and House conservatives, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, were vocal about their objections before the vote.
“After careful thought, I will vote against the NDAA,” Boebert remarked prior to the September 2021 vote, asserting her respect for the military and dismissing what she termed the “liberal woke agenda.”
Despite inquiries regarding his legislative actions, Barr has chosen not to address specifics, leading to speculation about his communications with McConnell and his understanding of the votes he cast. Attempts by Breitbart News to clarify these issues were met with a shift in response from Barr’s aide, who redirected inquiries to Barr’s campaign email.
Instead of directly tackling questions about the votes, the staff member launched unrelated criticisms of Trump’s cabinet members and made dismissive comments about Barr’s opponent, Morris.
“Andy Barr has aligned himself with the delegation to advance military pay increases,” the aide claimed.
However, Zeldin, a vocal critic of the NDAA, had actually voted against it in a significant moment following Trump’s veto, complicating Barr’s narrative.
This raises questions about whether Barr will truly represent Kentucky’s interests or those of McConnell and his political cohorts. Ultimately, as the election approaches, voters will need to consider where Barr’s loyalties truly lie.
