House passes amendment to National Defense Authorization Act

The U.S. House of Representatives last week unanimously passed an amendment requiring the Secretary of Defense to confirm that deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing will have no impact on military readiness.

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), was adopted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016.

“My amendment is simple and straightforward: it will prohibit deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing until the Secretary of Defense personally certifies that this proposal will – in no way – impact military readiness for our paratroopers at Fort Bragg,” Ellmers said. “I am demanding accountability – this is something I strongly believe to be a terribly misguided and shortsighted decision. I was glad to have my colleagues rally around me in support of the 440th Airlift Wing as they unanimously passed this amendment.”

The National Defense Authorization Act is the main way Congress meets its constitutional responsibility to “provide for the common defense.”

“My amendment will be adopted into the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes $604 billion in spending for national defense,” Ellmers said. “I am proud to support this robust legislation, as it increases troop pay and benefits for our nation’s heroes. It also upholds our foremost duty, which is to protect and defend the United States from threats abroad. It provides our troops with resources needed to eradicate terrorism, including the Islamic terrorist group ISIS.”