Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed S.1847, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015.  The legislation is the result of negotiations on two bills: H.R. 4435 the National Defense Authorization Act for FY15 that passed the House in May, and S. 2410, approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee.  S.1847 is consistent with the defense levels in the Ryan-Murray budget agreement, the House-passed FY15 budget, and the Republican Study Committee (RSC) substitute.

After voting in support of the NDAA for FY 2015, Congressman Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.) spoke to the importance of the bill, “If we do not provide for the common defense of our nation, then anything else that we do is inconsequential,” Nunnelee said.  “While upholding my obligation to spending taxpayer dollars wisely, I remain committed to ensuring that the U.S. Armed Forces have the proper training and equipment they need.”

The bill implements responsible policy and ensures accountability in enduring and current missions in the Middle East.  Provisions to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other terrorist organizations are included.  “Destroying ISIL is critical to the safety and security of the United States,” Nunnelee said.   “Terrorism can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach that involves active participation and collaboration with our coalition partners.”

While this NDAA authorizes activities to combat this threat, it does not contain an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIL.  Nunnelee continued, “Unfortunately, what we have from the president so far is insufficient to meet this objective.”  Nunnelee expressed his support for a debate in Congress next year, “an AUMF should be allowed open and lengthy debate and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this during the next Congress.”

The NDAA for FY 2015 sets up a National Commission on the Future of the Army, and prevents the transfer of any National Guard Apache helicopters for FY 2015.  “I am pleased that this misguided proposal from the administration is rejected,” Nunnelee said.  “This is good news for the important mission of the men and women that make up Mississippi National Guard’s 155^th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.  The 155^th plays a significant role not only in the defense of our nation, but also at home in Mississippi during natural disasters.  I will continue to support their mission.”

In response to attacks on military religious freedoms, the version of this legislation that previously passed the House required the Air Force to rewrite its regulations as they relate to service member Chaplin religious liberty protections.  Nunnelee was pleased to share, “the House effort was successful, and the Air Force released new religious liberties regulations in November.”  He continued, “In addition to providing our Armed Forces with the proper military training and readiness, an important aspect of quality of life in the military is the free exercise of religion, a right guaranteed by our Constitution.  I will continue to work to safeguard these freedoms.” 

Highlights of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015:

• Provides for the common defense in an era of restrained resources.

• Supports and protects the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families.

• Ensures proper training and equipment for war fighters going into harms way.

• Protects and secures our interests today while preserving the ability to respond to future threats.

• Maintains the United States Armed Forces essential global presence. 

• Authorizes awarding the Purple Heart to members of the Armed Forces killed or wounded in a domestic attack by a foreign terrorist organization.

• Continues vital platforms and capacity.

• Reaffirms the investments for continuing our important friendship with Israel. 

• Initiates additional reforms to the Department of Defense institutions and processes to ensure efficiencies in an era of declining resources.

• Rejects the administration’s proposed base realignment and closure (BRAC) round.

• Prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to and the construction of detention facilities in the United States. 

• Blocks significant proposed increases for military pharmaceutical co-pays and significant decrease to the basic allowance for housing (BAH).  Consideration of any additional reforms to compensation are postponed until after the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission reports in February of 2015.

Click here for more information on the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015.

Congressman Alan Nunnelee represents Mississippi’s First Congressional District. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Budget Committee. This is his second term.

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