National Defense Authorization Act Passes Final Senate Vote

Press Release

U.S. Senator Luther Strange on Thursday issued the statement below following final Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which delivers a critical 200% increase in funding for the Alabama-based production of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) over the President's initial request, will be referred to President Trump to be signed into law.

The NDAA package also includes key Alabama priorities, from full funding for Stryker protections and lethality upgrades and supplies for the Civilian Marksmanship Program, both at Anniston Army Depot, to an increase in funding for missile defense programs developed in the state (THAAD, Ground-Based Interceptors).

"Every year, the NDAA presents an opportunity to listen to the needs of American men and women in uniform and chart a course that keeps them on the cutting edge," said Strange. "In this year's negotiations, I was proud to be Alabama's voice for equipping U.S. forces to meet evolving challenges and keep Americans safe."

LCS Background:

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Strange advocated early to President Trump and Secretary of Defense James Mattis on the importance of the Mobile built LCS to the Navy, ultimately winning a highly unusual late add of an additional LCS to the Defense budget. Senator Strange then continued to work behind the scenes to deliver a $600 million increase in authorized funding in the Senate version of the NDAA, which passed in September.

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