Under the leadership of U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the House Armed Services Committee approved the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday.
Thornberry, the chairman of the committee, said that it was “encouraging” that the committee had come together for the 55th straight year to pass a defense policy bill that would support servicemembers and strengthen national security.
“This bill helps begin to correct the funding shortfalls that have led to a lack of readiness and to a heightened level of risk to our troops and our security,” Thornberry said. “It 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.”
The NDAA also makes clear to allies and adversaries, Thornberry said, that the United States will have the means to defend itself and that servicemembers will be fully supported.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) included a number of key provisions into the bill to increase military readiness, secure next-generation multispectral camouflage systems, fight against 21st century threats and curb the troop drawdown.
“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,” Stefanik said. “I am proud that the FY17 NDAA included initiatives that my office fought for to strengthen military readiness and Fort Drum.”
Bipartisan legislation led by Stefanik to ensure security cooperation between the United States and Israel was also included in the bill. The countries would share research and development costs to develop ballistic missile defense systems under the measure.
“We live in an increasingly dangerous and unstable world and it is critical that we do all we can to protect our nation and our interests,” Stefanik said. “Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East, and through greater cooperation we can more effectively combat threats facing our two nations. I am pleased that this important initiative was included in the NDAA that we passed out of the House Armed Services’ Committee and I look forward to helping secure passage on the House floor.”
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) also advocated for a number of defense priorities of southern Arizona that were included in the 2017 NDAA.
“For over a year in Congress, I’ve fought for our defense assets, like Davis-Monthan and Fort Huachuca, and this bill ensures they are protected next year,” McSally said. “The legislation fully funds A-10s and EC-130s. It contains amendments and provisions I led on to help expand missions at Fort Huachuca. And it mandates a fly-off between the A-10 and F-35, a crucial test that’s needed to ensure we are preserving capabilities to provide Close Air Support and Combat Search and Rescue. This bill represents a significant victory for southern Arizona families and our troops, and I will continue to fight to get these provisions signed into law.”
The 2017 NDAA also rejects proposed cuts to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, and it includes an amendment authored by U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) to prevent a single contractor being chosen for the LCS program, or for any successor frigate ship program.
“I am especially pleased the bill rejects efforts to cut the LCS program, which is important to the Navy and our economy in southwest Alabama,” Byrne said. “The resounding vote shows that my colleagues on the Committee – both Republicans and Democrats – agree that the LCS program is critical to the U.S. Navy and should continue.”
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), meanwhile, led efforts to include provisions that support the F/A-18 Super Hornet program in the NDAA.
“This announcement is a win-win for our national defense operations and our economy here in Missouri,” Graves said. “The F/A-18 Super Hornet program supports about 13,000 jobs and 91 businesses in Missouri. I’m glad to see this year’s NDAA protecting those jobs while fully supporting the Navy’s needs in the never-ending job of defending our country.”