Auburn Pub - Stefanik: Defense Bill Supports Fort Drum, Military Readiness

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By: Robert Harding

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik said Thursday that a key defense measure approved by the House Wednesday night will support the military and an important base in her district.

The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a 277-147 vote. Forty Democrats joined 237 Republicans in supporting the annual bill.

"I am proud of the bipartisan work done by my colleagues in the House on this critical legislation," Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said in a statement. "Our most important job in Congress is to provide for our national defense and this year's NDAA takes important steps to strengthen our defense capabilities and give our brave men and women in uniform the resources they need to keep us safe.

"I am proud that the (NDAA) included initiatives that my office fought for to strengthen military readiness and Fort Drum."

Fort Drum is a major military installation located in the 21st Congressional District, which Stefanik represents in the House.

The 2017 NDAA includes the POSTURE Act, legislation cosponsored by Stefanik that halts land force reductions.

Stefanik, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is vice chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness, said preserving troop levels will help the U.S. address challenges abroad.

"The language included in this bill ensures the active duty Army does not fall below 480,000 personnel and will not be depleted as a result of this administration's flawed assumptions about the current security environment," she said.

Other provisions Stefanik advocated for in the NDAA:

* A measure that allows the military to obtain equipment and expand the use of airspace near Fort Drum and other bases.

* The legislation allows the Army to procure new next-generation multispectral improved camouflage systems. This will help bolster military readiness, Stefanik said.

"These next-generation camouflage systems will help units like the 10th Mountain Division that train in cold and inclement weather," she said.

* Language requiring the Department of Defense to develop a strategy that targets terrorist groups using social media to recruit new members.

"The threats our nation faces on the 21st century battlefield continue to evolve and our nation's defense capabilities must evolve too," she said.

* A bill allowing the U.S. and Israel to share research and development costs to improve systems that detect ballistic missiles.

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