Dent Votes for Key Military Funding Bill
Press Release
This morning, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes annual funding levels and establishes new Department of Defense (DOD) policies and guidance. Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) expressed his support for the bill's passage with the following remarks:
"The NDAA is a critical bill that provides for our troops and their families by authorizing the funding and resources that they rely on to carry out their missions safely and successfully. I applaud the bipartisan spirit of this legislation that will solidify our military readiness, make the Department of Defense more efficient, reassure our allies, and improve the health and livelihoods of our service members."
"This bill will also provide greater security for those troops in our community who train at Fort Indiantown Gap by authorizing the construction of a $20 million security perimeter at the base that was funded earlier this year as a result of my work as Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee."
Key provisions in the FY 2017 NDAA include:
a funding boost of $9 billion over and above the Obama's Administration's request ($619 billion total);
a significant pay increase of 2.1% for our troops -- the largest in six years;
barriers that prohibit transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil;
an end to the force drawdown and an increase in overall force strength;
additional health choices for servicemembers through TRICARE;
reforms to address and combat instances of sexual assault;
key provisions to revamp the DOD acquisition process to assure quality and avert cost overruns
"Our national security and the NDAA have maintained a longstanding tradition of bipartisan support, and I am proud to see that continue this year through the passage of this bill. The needs of our troops and their loved ones should always stand above partisan politics, and this legislation will go a long way to ensure that we remain vigilant and prepared to counter any threat or adversary," Representative Dent concluded.
The bill passed by a vote of 375 to 34.
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