The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Friday, with key provisions led by U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
The fiscal year 2017 NDAA authorizes $602 billion in funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE) national security programs. The bill would also make reforms to healthcare for service members and defense acquisition processes.
Ayotte, the chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, successfully inserted 42 bills into NDAA that are designed to protect service members and shore up national security.
“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work in an effective and bipartisan manner to advocate on behalf of those who serve our country in uniform and keep us safe,” Ayotte said. “Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the New Hampshire National Guard play critical roles in our nation’s security, and the workers at the shipyard and the members of our Guard can count on me to continue to work hard on their behalf. I was pleased to work with Sen. (Jeanne) Shaheen (D-NH) on a variety of provisions on behalf of New Hampshire – the only state with two senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee.”
Provisions led by Ayotte will take steps to combat international drug trafficking, enhance the New Hampshire National Guard, protect female service members, promote air support for troops, improve healthcare for troops, prioritize readiness, and block another round of military base realignment and closure (BRAC) proposed by the Obama administration.
“I do not want to give the department the open ended authority to pursue another BRAC round that will incur significant up-front costs when we do not have the room in our budget over the next few years to afford many fundamental readiness investments,” Ayotte said. “I also believe this administration has dangerously reduced the size and capabilities of our military, and I am hopeful that the next administration will reverse this trend. If the next administration starts to rebuild the military that our national security interests require, we will need much of the basing infrastructure that the services may want to close.”
The Cyber Act of War, introduced by Rounds to require the administration to define cyber acts of war, was also included in the NDAA.
“As the nature of warfare continues to evolve, it is critical that our armed forces have the authorization and ability to defend against cyber-attacks on our critical infrastructure such as the electric grid, transportation systems and water supplies,” Rounds said. “Clearly defining what constitutes an act of war in the cyber realm is the first step in this effort.”
Additional provisions introduced by Rounds would enhance DoD prescription drug monitoring for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as cyber security training for DoD officials.
An amendment to the bill introduced by Tillis, meanwhile, would require the secretary of army to coordinate with the commander of the XVII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg to report to Congress on plans to extend an airway at Pope Airfield.
“Pope Airfield’s runway must be extended in order to fully support the rapid deployment capabilities of America’s Global Response Force,” Tillis said. “Our paratroopers and our taxpayers deserve to know whether or not the runway extension is a priority for the Army, and my amendment will ensure they receive an answer.”
Wicker included provisions in the NDAA to benefit veterans, military installations and defense manufacturing in the face of military threats from Russia, North Korea and the Islamic State.
“The bill would also have a positive impact on the jobs and lives of many Mississippians,” Wicker said. “For example, funding to construct new amphibious ships for the Navy would provide job certainty for thousands of families in south Mississippi. Similar benefits could come from investments in unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, radar systems and other electronic warfare technology. I am especially pleased that the bill does not authorize the Administration to initiate a new round of base realignment and closures.”