Brooks Applauds House Final Passage of 2017 Defense Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted in support of the conference report to S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017.  The NDAA authorizes programs for America’s national defense and passed the House by a 375-34 bipartisan vote.  This legislation is the conference report to H.R. 4909, which passed the House in May, and S. 2943 which passed the Senate in June. 

 

The FY17 NDAA topline funding increased by $7 billion, to $611.2 billion, authorizing, amongst other things, $551.7 billion for the Department of Defense base budget as well as $59.5 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations.  Brooks highlighted significant achievements for Alabama and notable provisions he worked on with members of the House Armed Services Committee to incorporate in this legislation. 

 

Congressman Brooks said, “In recent years, budget cuts have slashed vital funding for training and equipment, creating a readiness crisis.  The FY17 NDAA protects programs critical to ensuring our warfighters have the training and weaponry needed to protect America.  Specifically, the legislation increases ground and aviation training and replenishes depleted munitions inventories.  In addition, the FY17 NDAA fully fund’s Israel’s missile defense requirements and rejects cuts to TRICARE, Housing Allowances, and Commissary benefits for service members and their families.  The FY17 NDAA also includes the largest pay raise for our troops in six years.”

 

Brooks added, “On a local level, the FY17 NDAA promotes key provisions benefiting Redstone Arsenal and North Alabama.  Notably, the FY17 NDAA helps Redstone Arsenal’s Army Space and Missile Defense Command assist ground warfighter’s exploitation of space capabilities.  The Tennessee Valley specializes in small satellite technology development and the NDAA prioritizes and accelerates this growth.  In particular, the NDAA includes my language to develop three-dimensional high-resolution light detection and ranging systems.  This force multiplier has been overlooked in recent defense budgets and I’m pleased we are focusing on this capability.  The FY17 NDAA protects America’s access to space by requiring the development of an American rocket engine to replace the Russian RD-180.  In the interim the conference report allows Decatur’s United Launch Alliance access to enough RD-180 rocket engines to bridge the gap until America’s new rocket engine is fully functional.  The NDAA improves Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile technology maturation by addressing key Anti-Access/Area Denial issues.”

 

Brooks concluded, “Finally, in 2015, there was a major House floor flight in the FY16 NDAA over whether illegal aliens should be allowed to compete for and take military service opportunities from American citizens and lawful immigrants.  My floor amendment protecting American citizens and lawful immigrants from illegal alien competition was adopted by the House.  I am pleased to note that the FY17 NDAA preserves my efforts by again blocking illegal aliens from competing for and taking military service positions from American citizens and lawful immigrants.” 

 

 

###