Portman Statement on President's Veto of Defense: Portman-Turner Provision in Bill Would Benefit Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) released the following statement on President Obama's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a provision Portman authored with Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH-10) to expand the Air Force Institute of Technology's (AFIT) authority to enroll defense industry civilians in AFIT.

Turner initially introduced this amendment in the House and Portman introduced a companion in the Senate. The final bill allows AFIT, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, to enroll defense industry civilians and charge and retain tuition for those students. The legislation removes the vague and unhelpful "space-available" requirement, which is especially confusing for AFIT's distance and online education curriculum.

"I'm extremely disappointed that the President has vetoed legislation that will ensure our men and women in uniform have the capabilities and resources they need," Portman stated. "This bill includes our provision that would have strengthened AFIT by bringing in the best and brightest in the defense industry. This bill is critical for our men and women in uniform and I will work to override his veto."

Portman and Turner's provision would meaningfully enhance the quality of the AFIT educational experience. Having defense industry civilians learn alongside their counterparts in DoD will enrich the educational experience for all students and promote greater coordination and efficiency between the Air Force and the defense industrial base.

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