Heck Backs Passage of Defense Authorization

Statement

Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today backed House passage of H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016. Chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, Rep. Heck applauded the personnel-related provisions in the bill including preventing retaliation against members of the Armed Forces who report sexual assault, the establishment of a unified medical command, and improving the current military pay and retirement system so we can recruit and retain the very best talent available.

"This bill is a critically important part of Congress providing for the common defense and I was proud to support its passage on the floor," Rep. Heck said. "The provisions in this bill, especially the personnel provisions, are the result of an open, bipartisan subcommittee and full committee process. They ensure our war fighters, retirees, and their families receive the care and support they need, deserve, and have earned. It was disappointing, therefore, that despite the long history of broad bipartisan cooperation on drafting and supporting the NDAA, that this year House Democratic Leadership encouraged their members to join together in opposition to the bill to protest policies outside the scope of the NDAA. I applaud the 41 members of the Democrat Caucus that did not fall for this political ploy and who voted in support of this vital legislation."

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