The House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 4909, on Thursday, which authorizes $610 billion in funding for national defense.
The NDAA would support a 2.1 percent pay increase for service members, prohibit military base closings, reform the commissary system, and increase investments in training and readiness programs.
“This bill stops cuts to our armed forces, provides a pay raise for our troops, and makes major reforms in several critical areas including military health care, the commissary system, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and the acquisition system,” U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said. “The legislation seeks to ensure that we do not deploy troops who are not fully trained, whose equipment is worn out, and who did not get the resources they needed back home to be ready to face our enemies overseas.”
The bill would also increase maintenance spending by $597 million for the Marine Corps and Navy, by $312 million for the Army, and by $430 million for the Air Force.
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) said that the NDAA puts forward the best visions for the future of the military and national security possible.
“Whether it’s increasing troop pay or streamlining the acquisition system, this legislation boosts military readiness and ensures our servicemen and women have the tools they need to carry out the mission we ask of them,” Lucas said. “Like the past five NDAA bills signed into law by President Obama, (Thursday’s) legislation also contains language prohibiting the closure of Guantanamo Bay and prevents any effort to transfer terrorist combatants to American soil.”
The NDAA would boost funding for military bases by $18 billion, and it would authorize investments designed to close the military readiness gap.
“Congress has a responsibility to make sure our men and women in uniform are equipped with the resources needed to defend our nation,” U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) said. “I’m particularly pleased that they’re receiving a well-deserved 2.1 percent raise.”
U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) included an amendment in the NDAA that would require the secretaries of the Army and Air Force to report the level of air support provided to Fort Bragg to prevent negative impacts on training for paratroopers resulting from deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing.
“The NDAA allocates critical funding for our service men and women, including those located at Fort Bragg who will be deploying overseas this summer to lead the fight against ISIS,” Ellmers said.
U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) noted that Republicans and Democrats had found consensus on military spending for the 55th straight year.
“This year’s NDAA will increase troop levels, give a deserved pay raise for all service members above the levels requested by the president, and will simplify TRICARE options to better fit the health care needs of our military,” Hill said. “It will also authorize the modernization of our C-130 Hercules fleet, which is the backbone of our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard airlifters at Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB). “LRAFB has been a center for excellence for a long time, and modernizing their planes will guarantee these planes remain a critical part of our national security for years to come.”
U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) said that service members that take of U.S interests overseas should be empowered to take care of their families at home.
“The last thing they should worry about is paying their rent and household expenses each month,” Hultgren said. “Raising the pay of our service members and ensuring our military programs are ready for the 21st century are just a couple of the key provisions of this year’s defense authorization legislation. I urge our president to work with Congress on ensuring our military is prepared for the national security challenges ahead.”
U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) said that troops should never feel compromised because they don’t have necessary resources — but that has been happening “at an alarming rate.”
“Last week, news reports indicated that Air Force pilots are forced to salvage repair parts from planes so old they are now housed in museums, and pilots are not getting the recommended flight training hours,” Walters said. “We rely on these brave service members to protect our national security, and we have a constitutional duty to provide the support, equipment and pay they need to defend our great nation. (On Thursday), the House of Representatives took a critical step to fix the military readiness shortfalls our troops face. One of the federal government’s most important responsibilities is providing for a strong national defense, and as the daughter of a U.S. Marine, I understand its importance, particularly as we face unprecedented threats to our security….”
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) said that the world is a more dangerous place than ever before, and that it is critical that the military remains the best trained, equipped and supported in the world.
“The FY 2017 NDAA is the first step to fulfilling this goal, and I am proud to have voted in favor of its passage,” Womack said. “In an often gridlocked Congress, this bill makes a clear and unequivocal statement to our enemies: supported by a Congress that stands united in ensuring our military can complete its mission at home and abroad, the United States remains steadfast and capable of defending herself and her allies against those who wish to do us harm.”
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, worked to prevent troop reductions, increase military readiness, improve next-generation camouflage systems and battle 21st century threats in the NDAA.
“I am proud of the bipartisan work done by my colleagues in the House on this critical legislation,” Stefanik said. “Our most important job in Congress is to provide for our national defense and this year’s NDAA takes important steps to strengthen our defense capabilities and give our brave men and women in uniform the resources they need to keep us safe. I am proud that the FY17 NDAA included initiatives that my office fought for to strengthen military readiness and Fort Drum.”