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WASHINGTON – Minnesota Congressman John Kline’s provision to ensure military commanders have much needed flexibility for our troops to fight Islamist extremists in Afghanistan and the region was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4909) that passed the House last evening with strong bipartisan support. The annual NDAA serves as the policy and budgetary blueprint for the Pentagon. This is the 14th and final national defense bill that Kline, who is retiring at the end of this Congress, helped author.

“When I first joined Congress almost 14 years ago, I did so as a proud 25-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, whose top priority was to ensure Washington keeps faith with our troops, veterans, and their families,” said Kline, whose son has served four tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. “With passage of this important legislation, we can rest assured knowing our troops receive the resources – and flexibility – they need to safely accomplish their mission and defend freedom worldwide.”

In January, Kline led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Afghanistan to meet with American forces deployed overseas. From senior commanders and troops on the ground, Kline learned our efforts are being hampered by the Obama Administration’s arbitrary restrictions placed on the total number of Americans troops allowed in the country at any one time. In a House Armed Services Committee hearing two months later, Kline asked Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford about arbitrary restrictions placed on our commanders due to the Administration’s capped force management levels. Kline’s provision in the NDAA helps fix this problem.

Other notable provisions in this year’s NDAA include:

• A continuation of the prohibition against the transfer of the dangerous terrorists held in Guantanamo Bay to American soil;
• Authorization of funding for the fight against ISIS;
• New protections for victims of sexual assaults in the military; and
• A pay increase for military personnel.

Throughout 14 years in Congress, Kline has been a foremost expert on matters of national defense, as well as a champion for our veterans, troops, and their families. On Friday, Kline will be the Guest of Honor at the Marine Evening Parade in Washington. Last November, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Association presented Kline with the Maj. Frank Tejeda Congressional Leadership Award for both his military service as a Marine and his service in Congress, acknowledging his unwavering support of our nation’s veterans and service members. In October, the National Guard honored Kline with the Charles Dick Medal of Merit award for his efforts in Congress on behalf of men and women in the National Guard. In 2012, AMVETS honored Kline with the prestigious Silver Helmet Award for his “loyalty and dedication to America’s veterans.” In 2008, the National Guard Bureau honored Kline with one of its highest civilian awards, a Heritage Painting for his efforts on behalf of all veterans.

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In addition to serving on the House Armed Services Committee, Kline serves as the Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He and his wife, Vicky, live in Burnsville.