“I thank NFIB for their work on behalf of the small business community. We want America’s entrepreneurs to thrive in the years to come,” Frelinghuysen concluded.

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Frelinghuysen and Thornberry met with key military leaders, including the U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, GEN John Nicholson, and with U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan P. Michael McKinley. The delegation also conferred with the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Stewart Jones.

Frelinghuysen also met with many warfighters who call New Jersey home.

Chairman Frelinghuysen and Chairman Thornberry are charged with Congressional oversight of the United States’ efforts to defeat the terrorist threat and support countries in the region that share our values and goals.

Frelinghuysen’s panel funds operations of the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Thornberry’s panel sets policy for the Department of Defense.

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“In an increasingly dangerous and rapidly changing world, we must guarantee that our armed forces and intelligence community have the capability to defeat barbaric Islamic terror groups and deter aggressor-nations, like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea,” said Defense Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11). “This bill recognizes the critical need for increased funding for more training, readiness and equipment and provides for military families. And our heightened oversight ensures that every dollar counts.”

The legislation meets the overall defense spending limits set by law for fiscal year 2017, providing $517.1 billion in discretionary funding – an increase of $3 billion above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $587 million below the President’s budget request. The bill also provides $58.6 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)/Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) funding – the level allowed under current law. Following the lead of the recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, the legislation targets approximately $16 billion of this OCO/GWOT funding to meet readiness, training needs within the base Pentagon budget.

“Over the past several years, our military and intelligence community has largely focused on the dangers posed by Islamic terrorist organizations – al Qaeda, the barbaric ISIS, Al Nusra and others. They remain a clear and present danger,” said Frelinghuysen. “But in recent years, new threats have emerged including a more aggressive and more capable Russia, an expansionist China, emboldened states like Iran and rogue nations like North Korea. At the same time, our readiness levels are alarmingly low for our soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen, our decisive technological edge over our adversaries is eroding and our adversaries’ resolve and capability are only growing. Our FY 2017 Defense Appropriations bill begins to reverse these trends by providing more funding for national security,” he said.

“This bill fulfills the Congress’s primary responsibility – providing for the common defense while respecting the taxpayer by making commonsense budgeting decisions,” Chairman Frelinghuysen said.

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