Griffin: NDAA Provides "Essential' Defense Funding

Press Release

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after House passage of the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310 - NDAA) Conference Committee report:

"The NDAA provides essential funding for our Armed Forces, and it ensures the United States is prepared to combat threats to our national security. While I'm disappointed it doesn't protect the A-10s at Fort Smith, this year's NDAA preserves the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), strengthens the mission of Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB), and more broadly, contains a number of provisions that will benefit both our military servicemembers and U.S. taxpayers."

The NDAA authorizes funding for FY2013 for the Department of Defense and related agencies, including all military branches. The House passed its version of the NDAA on May 18, and the Senate passed its version on December 4. Since there were differences in the language of the two versions, a Conference Committee comprised of members from each Chamber was established to resolve those distinctions. Today's vote approved the Conference Committee's version.

This year's NDAA authorizes a 1.7 percent pay increase and extends bonuses and special pay for U.S. servicemembers, increases oversight of cyber operations and capabilities, requires greater auditability of defense spending to ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars are not wasted, prohibits the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States, and maintains mission-critical tactical airlift aircraft, including the C-130 aircraft at LRAFB. It also authorizes the construction of C-130J flight simulator and fuel systems maintenance facilities at LRAFB and a new Army National Guard field maintenance shop in Searcy. Additional highlights of this year's NDAA can be found here.

On Wednesday, Griffin joined with other members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation in issuing a statement regarding the future of the 188th Fighter Wing's A-10 mission.

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