Rutherford Statement on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

May 24, 2018
Press Release
Bipartisan FY2019 NDAA makes critical investments in our national security, Northeast Florida

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 351-66. The bill now heads to the Senate for debate and passage. Upon passage, Congressman Rutherford stated:

"The House has delivered on our promise to reinvest in our military, which has suffered from insufficient resources and budget uncertainty,” said Rutherford. “This bill responds directly to the deficient readiness levels of our armed forces, while also increasing capability and investments. The bill includes the largest pay increase for our troops in nine years, grows the size of our forces to suit our military needs, counters global threats like Iran, and reforms the Pentagon bureaucracy

“I am especially proud to see the bill included many major wins for Northeast Florida. This includes $111 million for military construction at Naval Station Mayport, three Littoral Combat Ships, as well as strong support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, P-8A Poseidon, A-29, and MQ-4C Triton.  It also reflects Congress’s commitment to the ship building and repair industry, which is critical to the First Coast economy. I was proud to fight for these programs, and I will continue to do so as we consider the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bills.  At a time when America is beginning to lead again, few things are more important than ensuring that our men and women in uniform are well taken care of and ready for any challenge they may face during training at home and deployment abroad.”

 

Highlights of the FY 2019 NDAA are as follows:

 

  • Pay Raise of 2.6% for our troops – largest in nine years
  • Increases the size of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Naval and Air Reserve, as well as Air Guard
  • Makes major reforms in Pentagon bureaucracy & streamlines buying practices
  • Increases funding to rebuild our military & support readiness recovery
  • Makes critical investments in missile defense and our nuclear deterrent, which is the cornerstone of our national security
  • Makes key investments in other critical military capabilities to confront aggression & address threats around the world, including threats from Russia, China, North Korea, & Iran
  • Authorizes funding for co-development and co-production of missile defense and weapons systems with our key ally Israel
  • Advances innovative technologies that will reform the way we will fight and win wars

 

Source: House Armed Services Committee

 

 

 

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Issues: 
Congress, Defense, Veterans