FY 2020 defense authorization bill includes Moran’s military priorities

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, now reconciled by both houses of Congress, included some of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran’s (R-KS) top military-related priorities.

“I was particularly pleased to see several of my priorities included in the final legislation,” Sen. Moran said on Tuesday. “I applaud my colleagues for working to create a bipartisan bill that we can send to the president’s desk.”

According to the senator’s office, some of those priorities include the Cyber Red Team Assessment to increase security against new and emerging cyber threats. The assessment “will help support missions related to the 177th Information Aggressor Squadron of the Kansas Air National Guard Unit stationed at McConnell Air Force Base,” said Sen. Moran.

The NDAA, S. 1790, also includes the Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing Act of 2019, S. 1427, which Sen. Moran cosponsored in May with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) to improve the Network for Manufacturing Innovation Program.

Inclusion of S. 1427, said the senator, “will strengthen Kansas manufacturers, specifically within aerospace, defense, technology and agriculture.”

Additionally, among other Moran-supported provisions, the NDAA secures a Military-Type Certification for the Textron AT-6 Light Attack Aircraft, which the senator said “will have a significant impact on the Kansas aerospace community.”

The lawmaker noted that the NDAA is critical to safeguarding Americans’ freedoms and supporting U.S. troops.

“This legislation further modernizes our military and includes the largest pay raise for our troops in nearly a decade,” said Sen. Moran.