Congressman Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, released the following statement after House-passage of the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
"The FY2016 NDAA provides our men and women in uniform with the resources needed to ensure safety and security across the country and protect our interests abroad. As our nation continues to address some of the most complex security challenges in recent history, we must make certain that our military is properly equipped to carry out the mission.
"Furthermore, I am proud of the steps taken by my subcommittee to protect the responsiveness of the defense industrial base and provide the necessary resources to modernize our military against current and future threats."
The FY2016 NDAA also includes all provisions of the Support Uniformed Patriots; Prevent Offenses and Restore Trust Act (SUPPORT Act), which seeks to combat the issue of sexual assault in the military. Congressman Turner and Congresswoman Tsongas, as co-chairs of the Military Sexual Assault and Prevention Caucus, introduced the SUPPORT Act earlier this year.
"Congresswoman Tsongas and I have long worked together on leading the fight to eradicate sexual assault in our military. The provisions of our bill, included in the FY2016 NDAA, will further protect both military and civilian victims and hold perpetrators firmly accountable under the law."
"With these provisions, the FY2016 NDAA strengthens our national security and provides protections for our service members. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to follow the leadership of the House, and I look forward to continuing the bipartisan, bicameral effort to strengthen our military."