Statement By SASC Chairman John McCain On Congress's Final Passage Of National Defense Authorization Act
Statement
U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the Senate's vote to approve the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA). The bill will now be sent to the President's desk for signature:
"I am proud that the Senate has passed the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act, which will provide our Armed Forces with the resources, training, and equipment they need to keep us safe. I would like to thank Senator Reed and Representatives Thornberry and Smith for continuing the bipartisan tradition of working together on behalf of our men and women in uniform.
"The FY18 NDAA conference report supports a defense budget of nearly $700 billion. This exceeds the defense spending caps in the Budget Control Act by $85 billion. The overwhelming, bipartisan support for this defense budget should serve as a reminder of the troubling state of our military today--and an acknowledgement that the Budget Control Act-level of defense spending is insufficient and unacceptable. The support demonstrates that large majorities of both the House and the Senate agree that, based on strategic requirements, this is the defense budget our nation needs. And it should also serve as the baseline for our leaders in Congress and the White House as they negotiate a budget deal.
"Nearly two months into Fiscal Year 2018, we cannot delay any longer in appropriating these vital, additional resources for our military. Any further delay in doing so would be an abdication of Congressional responsibilities.
"I call upon the President to sign this important legislation into law--and in doing so acknowledge that this is the level of defense spending necessary to meet current threats, prepare for the challenges of an increasingly dangerous world, and keep faith with our men and women in uniform."
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