N.C. senator aids passage of defense-spending bill

In the wake of the U.S. Senate’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) released a statement last week reiterating his support for the measure and applauding his fellow lawmakers for including an amendment he co-sponsored to preserve the 440th Airlift Wing at Fort Bragg Pope Airfield in his district. The Department of Defense had marked the unit for closure.

“I’m pleased that the Senate has acted to ensure that our military has sufficient resources to combat America’s enemies and provide security across the globe, and ensured our troops are properly compensated,” Burr said. “Every day, service members fight to secure our freedoms, and our forces must have the resources they need to keep our country safe. North Carolina alone is home to eight bases and several installations, so maintaining these facilities is critical for the state, as well as our nation’s readiness.”

“Additionally, the authorization bill’s amendment, which I co-sponsored with Senator Tillis, will continue the C-130 presence at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg Pope Airfield. I hope President Obama will see the strong bipartisan support for this bill and lift his veto threat against it.”

The Senate passed the NDAA by a vote of 71-15.