Tiberi, Shuster among lawmakers appointed to NDAA conference committee

U.S. Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Bill Shuster (R-PA) were among lawmakers appointed by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to serve on the House-Senate conference committee that will negotiate a final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018.

The version approved by the House in July would fund a 2.4 percent pay increase for military personnel and would support adding 17,000 troops to the Army. Additionally, the bill outlines increases in funding for missile defense research and development, and reforms to improve the acquisition process.

The conference committee will work to resolve any legislative differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Tiberi, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, will take part in negotiations over a provision of the NDAA that would establish a demonstration program that enables TRICARE beneficiaries to enroll in a specialized Medicare Advantage plan.

“Ohio’s military installations, and the industries around the state that support them, make critical contributions to America’s national security and military readiness,” Tiberi said. “I’m thankful for their work and for the service of all our men and women in uniform. The NDAA is vital in providing them with the resources they need to keep us safe and secure. I am honored to be named as a conferee for the NDAA and to play a key role in ensuring it is delivered to President Trump’s desk to become law.”

Shuster, meanwhile, has advocated for keeping language in the NDAA that would prevent another round of Base Realignment and Closures. Shuster’s Patriot Inventory Protection Act, which was included in the NDAA, would take steps to prevent a potential shortfall in critical missile defense.

“It is a high honor to be chosen by my colleagues in the House to negotiate the National Defense Authorization Act,” Shuster said. “I look forward to working within the conference committee to produce a strong bill that restores our military and addresses the readiness crisis facing our troops.”

Other lawmakers named to serve on the conference committee for the defense bill negotiations include: U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; Michael Turner (R-OH), the chairman of the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee; Don Bacon (R-NE), a member of the House Armed Services Committee; Greg Walden (R-OR), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Andy Barr (R-KY), the chairman of the House Financial Services Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee; Dan Donovan (R-NY), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Darrell Issa (R-CA), the chairman of the House Judiciary Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Subcommittee; Lamar Smith (R-TX), the chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; Frank Lucas (R-OK), a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee; Sam Graves (R-MO), the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Highways and Transit Subcommittee; and Jackie Walorski (R-IN), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.