Defense & National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Randy Forbes (VA-04), Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Scott Rigell (VA-02) issued the following joint statement applauding today’s announcement by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) that it has awarded a $95.6 million contract to W.M. Jordan Co. of Newport News to construct the Measurement Systems Laboratory (MSL) at NASA Langley Research Center: “Today’s announcement by the General Services Administration is great news for NASA Langley and science research in Hampton Roads,” said Rep.Scott. “This project, part of NASA Langley’s 20-year revitalization plan, will expand NASA Langley’s research capabilities while saving millions of dollars in annual maintenance. As NASA Langley celebrates its 100th Anniversary next year, we look forward to continuing to work with NASA, the Virginia aerospace community, and our colleagues in Congress to ensure that NASA Langley is able to continue to implement its 20-year plan and remains an integral part of accomplishing NASA’s missions.”

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the recommendations of the Center for a New American Security that the President and Congress should cancel the Ford-class aircraft carrier program and other programs at the Department of Defense: “Our national security depends on a modern and technologically advanced military. While there have been issues related to the construction of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy and its primary shipbuilder for the Ford-class have already taken steps to reduce costs and address these issues for the next two aircraft carriers. Cancelling the Ford-class program would have severe consequences for national security and harm efforts to replenish and replace the fleet in the coming decades.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his No vote on H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Roll Call No. 216): “The House version of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act contained many provisions that I strongly support, especially those pertaining to shipbuilding and ship maintenance, as well as the proposed pay increase for our men and women in uniform. “Unfortunately, the bill also includes several troubling provisions that ultimately required me to vote No. As drafted, the bill uses an accounting gimmick that would transfer approximately $18 billion from the Overseas Contingency Operations account to fund base Department of Defense accounts. The Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee has pointed out that this will shortchange our men and women in the field, degrade military readiness, and require Congress to enact a supplemental funding request for U.S. operations in Afghanistan by April 30, 2017. This accounting gimmick also breaks last year’s bipartisan budget agreement, setting up an unnecessary fiscal fight in the months ahead.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015, which would effectively stop the admission of properly vetted Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States: “Our nation continues to stand with the people of France in the wake of last week’s horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, and we must be vigilant in ensuring that a similar attack does not happen on our shores. Unfortunately, the bill considered in the House of Representatives today preys on the fear of the American people and would unjustly shut out the most vulnerable Syrians and Iraqis fleeing from the unimaginable violence overrunning their countries.