2015 National Defense Authorization Act

On the House Floor this week, Congressman Lamborn had six more amendments adopted into the final language of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. The full 2015 National Defense Authorization Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 325 to 98. Of particular importance is his amendment language mandating a rewriting of overly strict Department of Defense and Air Force regulations regarding religious freedom in the military. This passed unanimously and directs the DOD and Air Force to rewrite existing regulations to ensure that verbal and written expressions of individual faith are protected by new regulations.    

"It is unacceptable to me that our men and women who defend our Constitution do not currently enjoy all the protections of the Constitution. Changes to internal regulations must be made in order for religious freedom to be fully protected for the members of our military." 

- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Please click HERE to watch the Congressman's Floor Speech Supporting Military Religious Freedom

“ The United States should not be spending money to disarm ourselves – to dramatically cut our strategic nuclear deterrent – if the other party to the treaty requiring these cuts is verifiably dishonest. The Russian Federation is clearly not trustworthy. Their actions in Ukraine and violation of agreements such as the INF Treaty and CFE Treaty should be cause for great concern. Vladimir Putin is a serial treaty violator who should not be trusted with America’s national security. I am pleased that the House adopted my resolution by an overwhelming, bipartisan majority.” 

- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Please click HERE to watch the Congressman's Floor Debate on the New START Amendment

On Thursday, May 7th, Congressman Doug Lamborn took part in an all-day mark-up amendment session for the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman Lamborn had 12 amendments adopted into the final language of the bill, in addition to numerous amendments he got into the original body of the bill.

"The amendments I proposed in the Committee mark-up and the hard work I did during the drafting of the bill ensure that we took steps of vital importance to the Fifth Congressional District and the security of our nation."

- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

• An amendment establishing the sense of Congress that national security functions, such as military training and exercises, should be a top priority, particularly when land owned by the US government is to be used. We must be smart about how and where the military trains in order to preserve our pristine national parks; however we must also remember that the first job of the federal government is to protect our nation.

• An amendment ensuring that the Afghan government does not levy illegal taxes against companies supporting our military men and women taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom. This has cost American companies at least a billion dollars that should be recovered from Afghanistan. 

• An amendment giving additional authority to the non-profit Air Force Academy Athletics Corporation to allow them to supply equipment and services to the athletics teams, including supporting travel. These changes will allow the AFAAC to provide better support to the student-athletes at the Air Force Academy and will save taxpayer funds. This is because the AFAAC has access to private sector fundraising efforts to support Air Force Academy Athletics. 

• An amendment prohibiting funding for the implementation of the New START Treaty (calling for a reduction in our nuclear capabilities) until Russia withdraws from Ukraine.

• An amendment requiring the Director of National Intelligence to produce a public report on the  political and economic corruption among senior Russian leaders, including an analysis of potentially illegal attainment of financial assets.

• Language ensuring that the Air Force C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) aerial firefighting aircraft based at Peterson Air Force Base are not removed without certification from the Secretary of the Air Force that there will be no danger posed to the ongoing, nationwide firefighting mission. Please click HERE to watch Congressman Lamborn discuss the importance of the C-130 MAFFS mission

• Language calling for an analysis of a new Joint DOD-VA Clinic in Northern El Paso County. As our military and veterans populations continue to grow, military medical care will become an even greater priority for our region. This amendment directs the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs to investigate the possibility of a new clinic.

• Language directing the DOD to conduct a new Joint Land Use study around , Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, and the Air Force Academy. These studies are designed to mitigate impacts that military installations have on surrounding communities, such as aerial flight path noise concerns.

• Two amendments dealing with Iran. The first states that Iran must stop uranium enrichment, WMD production, and sponsorship of terrorism before any unilateral deals are made between Iran and the Obama Administration. The second calls for the DOD to prepare a report identifying the companies that have done business with both the DOD and Iran in possible violation of sanctions. This will allow us to identify and no longer conducted business with companies trying to play both sides.

• Language requesting a GAO review of DOD Arctic Capabilities by February 6, 2015. This review will help ensure that US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) based at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs has the capabilities they need to protect our nation in the Arctic.

• Two amendments regarding missile defense and directed energy weapons. The first includes language requiring a plan for operational testing of the High Energy Laser – Mobile Demonstrator (HEL-MD) by December 1, 2014, and most critically, allowing for its testing under wartime conditions by an ally such as Israel. The second includes language regarding Counter-electronic high power microwave missile project (CHAMP). CHAMP is a directed energy weapon that destroys or disrupts electronic systems. The amendment requires a briefing to the House Armed Services Committee on the plans for future similar systems by February 15, 2015.

• Language requiring DOD to provide a report looking at the technology to enable multi-aircraft control of UAVs by February 15, 2015.

• Language requiring the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to certify the effectiveness of Air Force Information Technology contract support for critical warfighter IT systems, to protect the high-security systems at Cheyenne Mountain and Air Force Space Command and elsewhere.

• Language calling for the DOD to develop a better a better situational awareness of the financial tools available to our enemies and adversaries.

• Language requiring a report on the impact that proposed international space agreements would have on American military space capabilities.

• Additionally, Congressman Lamborn worked hard to make sure that a variety of provisions were included in the final language of the bill prior to the mark-up amendment session.

• Ensuring that Colorado's 2015 Military Construction projects are fully funded. Over $100 million dollars worth of projects at Fort Carson and Peterson AFB.

• Worked to make sure that funding was increased for mental health in Special Operations Command's Preservation of the Force and Family suicide prevention program. This includes 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Carson.

• Over $10 million and strong language ensuring that the certification and deployment construction process is completed on the Colorado Springs-constructed ACES 5 ejection seat.

• Worked to ensure that Israeli Missile Defense systems were fully funded (Iron Dome, Arrow, David's Sling).

• Language requiring a replenishment update of our system of GPS satellites.

• Language creating a pilot program to enable better procurement of commercial communications satellites by the DOD.

• Language requiring the DOD to report on Chinese assistance being provided to help Iran avoid sanctions.