Byrne: Defense Bill Offers Sound Policy, Good News for LCS Program

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today voted in support of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill sets the policy and authorizes funding for our nation’s military.

Of particular interest to Southwest Alabama, the legislation authorizes the funding of three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), consistent with the Navy’s request. Congressman Byrne has been a tireless advocate of the LCS program and the men and women who work at the Austal shipyard in Mobile.

Byrne said: “There is no greater responsibility of the federal government than providing for the national defense. Currently, our nation’s military men and women face a wide range of challenges around the globe. From radical terrorists in the Middle East to aggressive behavior from Russia to an ever hostile China, we must make sure our Armed Forces have the resources to be successful in keeping the American people safe.

“I am especially pleased the NDAA authorizes funding for three Littoral Combat Ships, which is good news for the hardworking men and women at Austal shipyard in Mobile. While this bill authorizes the new ships, the actual funding must come in an appropriations bill. I have made clear that any appropriations bill should fully fund three ships, and I expect the House to consider an appropriations measure next week.”

Other notable provisions in the bill include provisions which:

• Authorize $521.3 billion in base discretionary spending for national defense;
• Reject President Obama’s request for a Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC);
• Eliminate the “good soldier defense” in case of sexual assault in the military;
• Strengthen religious liberty protections for service members;
• Provide for the training and equipping of Iraqi and Kurdish security forces while extending the current train and equip authorization for moderate Syrian forces who are fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL);
• Provides incremental funding for a new San Antonio Class Amphibious Ship which will be built in Pascagoula, MS;
• Support our active duty troops with a military pay increase;
• Encourage many reforms to the defense acquisition progress; and
• Prohibit the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States.

The House passed the 2015 NDAA by a bipartisan vote of 300 to 119. More information on the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act can be found here.