Congressman Roger Williams (R -- Austin) this morning released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act .
"The annual passage of this defense bill is a reminder that Congress can still work for the people and the brave men and women defending our freedom," said Williams. "We have a lot to be proud of in this bill, and I expect our commander-in-chief to show leadership by swiftly signing this valuable piece of legislation into law as soon as it arrives on his desk."
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 includes a 2.1 percent pay raise for American Troops and $619 billion for national defense, including $3.2 billion to stop the military drawdown. Additionally, the bill will replenish munitions inventories and readiness levels that have been depleted under the current administration and will support Israel's missile defense requirements. The NDAA also reaffirms a continued policy that prohibits the relocation of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States.