Numerous provisions supported by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on June 13 received approval by the U.S. House Armed Services Committee as part of the overall defense authorization bill for the upcoming fiscal year.
Following the committee’s 21 hour-marathon consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, H.R. 2500, members of the House Armed Services Committee voted 33-24 to send the measure to the full House for a vote.
“This legislation provides the resources and authorities needed to continue strengthening our national security and support service members and their families,” said Rep. Bacon, an Air Force veteran and retired Brigadier General who serves on the committee. “I am especially grateful for the committee’s support for my amendment to authorize funding for military bases devastated by recent natural disasters.”
Rep. Bacon secured authorization for $2.3 billion in emergency construction funding for military bases in Nebraska, Florida and North Carolina that were hard hit by recent storms.
“We had to work fast in a bipartisan way and we eventually got it over the line,” Rep. Bacon said. “Securing emergency military construction funds is a big win for Nebraska and the Omaha metro region.”
The congressman’s office said in summarizing the committee’s action that several other legislative proposals championed by Rep. Bacon also were incorporated into H.R. 2500, including a 3.1 percent pay raise for military personnel; authorization of more than $400 million for upgrades to aircraft at Nebraska’s Offutt Air Force base; authorizing $29 million for the construction of an Army National Guard readiness center in Bellevue, Neb.; approving $10 million to deploy portable blood test equipment for traumatic brain injuries; and authorizing $6 million for the study of global terrorism, among other provisions.
“While I am opposed to several provisions in this bill, on balance I believe it is ready to move forward in the legislative process,” Rep. Bacon added. “I do disagree with the bill’s stipulations on Guantanamo Bay and securing our southern border that need to be fixed before the bill will earn my vote on the House floor.”