By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Friday, December 2, 2016, the US House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan basis.
US Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) said on social media, “National defense is the most important constitutional duty of the federal government. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m pleased this year’s defense authorization bill provides strong support for the vital work being done at Redstone and across North Alabama. On a broader scale this legislation protects programs critical to ensuring our warfighters have the training and weaponry needed to protect America while providing the largest pay raise for our troops in six years.”
US Representative Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) said in his own statement, “By a strong vote of 375 to 34, the House has passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This NDAA stops the drawdown of the military and authorizes critical funding for the operation and maintenance of our military. The bill authorizes important funding for training, helps rebuild outdated infrastructure, and ensures our military men and women have the munitions they need for ongoing operations.”
US Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said, “I am pleased the NDAA passed the House today with my strong support. This is a critical piece of legislation that helps take care of our brave men and women in uniform. This bill will strengthen our military, provide for vital installations like the Anniston Army Depot and authorize the funding needed to keep America safe. It will also give our service members the pay raise they deserve that they have not gotten in the past four years.”
US Representative Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) said in a statement, “The House just passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – annual legislation needed to authorize funding and policy for our military.” “NDAA allows us to make real progress toward increasing the strength and agility of our military after years of continued reductions and cuts.
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution instructs Congress to “provide for the common defense,” and this legislation enables us to fulfill that responsibility.”
Rep. Byrne is a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Rep. Byrne said, “This is a good bill. But it alone will not be enough to turn the tide back in favor of the fully trained, fully capable, and fully equipped military that we need. I look forward to working with Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, the appropriations committee, and the incoming administration to get this funding bill taken care of as soon as possible next year. Because without supplemental funding, we will leave the job half-done.”
Rep. Rogers is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) is the Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and was a conferee on the NDAA.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) issued a statement on House passage of S2943, the Conference Report to accompany the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Speaker Ryan said, “Our Better Way agenda calls for building a 21st century military, and this defense bill delivers important reforms to get us there. In addition to boosting base funding to tackle this readiness gap and equip our troops with cutting-edge technology, it maintains strict prohibitions on transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil. I’m particularly proud that this NDAA includes the largest pay raise our troops have seen in six years—and it’s well-deserved. I want to commend Mac Thornberry and all the members of the Armed Services Committee for their work on this legislation.”
Pres.-elect Donald Trump (R) has promised to increase spending on the US Armed forces as part of his “Make America Great Again” agenda.
