House Passes NDAA U.S. Rep. McSally Amendments to Protect A-10, EC-130H

Press Release

The House of Representatives today passed the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included amendments offered by U.S. Representative Martha McSally to fully protect the A-10 Warthog and EC-130H Compass Call next year. The amendments prohibit the retirement of any A-10 or EC-130H aircraft and prevent any additional transfers to backup status that were approved by the last Congress. The legislation also includes full funding for the A-10 and EC-130H, two aircraft stationed at Davis-Monthan and currently deployed overseas.

"Today's passage is a significant victory for Southern Arizona and all our service members," said Rep. McSally. "The A-10 and EC-130H bring irreplaceable capabilities to the battlefield, something Southern Arizonans know well. DM Airmen are currently deployed overseas and defending our national security, and on a trip last week to Afghanistan and the Middle East, I was able to thank them for their continued service in person. Without a doubt, their efforts are saving lives, and we cannot afford to retire these critical capabilities without replacements. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to make sure these assets are protected and that American lives on the ground have the support they need and deserve."

Since taking office, Rep. McSally tirelessly has advocated to keep the A-10 and EC-130H flying. At hearing after hearing, she exposed the Administration's flawed reasoning for seeking to retire these aircraft. On April 27, 2015, her efforts led to the inclusion of full funding for both aircraft in the FY2016 NDAA.

During markup for the legislation, she offered amendments to fully protect the A-10 and EC-103H next year and staunchly fought back efforts to retire 164 A-10's next year. Part of that debate can be seen HERE. Both her amendments to prohibit the retirement of either aircraft passed the Armed Services Committee.

She has led bipartisan efforts to request authorization and funding for both aircraft and penned an op-ed in the New York Times making the case that retiring the A-10 without a replacement would put American lives at risk.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base located in the Second District houses over 80 A-10 Warthogs and 15 EC-130H Compass Call aircraft. The Administration announced earlier this year plans to begin divestment of our entire A-10 fleet and 7 of the 15 EC-130H at DM.

The FY2016 NDAA, which passed the House today 269-151, provides $682.7 million for the A-10 and $48.3 million for the EC-130H, providing full funding for both platforms.

Yesterday, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the FY2016 NDAA, which contains funding for both the A-10 and EC-130H platforms. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation in the coming weeks.

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