Norcross Votes to Advance NDAA that Builds a Strong National Defense, Supports Service Members & Strengthens America's Workforce

Statement

U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee, voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). The act, which passed with a 33-24 vote out of Committee, builds a strong national defense, supports service members and strengthens America's workforce.

"We live in an uncertain world where there are serious threats to our country and our democracy, and we must ensure our military has the tools and manpower needed to defend our nation," said TAL Chair Norcross. "Thanks to the leadership of HASC Chairman Adam Smith, we were able to keep our military fully equipped, meet mission requirements and deter potential adversaries, while ensuring the Department of Defense's programs are fiscally responsible. Overall, I'm proud to have voted to strengthen and modernize our military to build a strong national defense, support service members and their families and grow our nation's workforce."

Norcross continued: "New Jersey and the Delaware Valley are home to a number of defense facilities and industries that provide high-tech jobs and play an important role in the security of the United States. This year, we prevented Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), safeguarded the Boeing helicopter production facility, protected Picatinny Arsenal and ensured the KC-46s are delivered to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on schedule."

The FY20 NDAA provides approximately $733 billion in discretionary authorizations for our nation's defense. Included are measures to stop further Russian interference in our democracy by addressing the issue head-on and requiring defense strategies to counter efforts in 2020. It also, rightfully, prevents the President from diverting defense funding to pay for a border wall.

Like previous years, the NDAA supports Israel, our democratic ally in the volatile Middle East, with $300 million for Israeli Cooperative Programs and $25.7 million for Iron Dome. Additionally, for the first time in years, the NDAA requires the Department of Defense to plan for potential threats posed by climate change.

As TAL Chair, Norcross oversaw efforts to fund an additional 12 F-35A aircraft and fully support the budget request for the F-15EX program to begin replacing our aging F-15C fleet. In these efforts and others, he focused on accountable modernization and enhancing the tactical capabilities of our services.

Norcross recently traveled to Normandy, France, where he recognized the incredible efforts and sacrifices made by our service members 75 years ago on D-Day. He said, "It was remarkably moving to stand on Omaha Beach and to pay respect at the final resting place of more than 9,000 American heroes that helped saved the world from tyranny. Without them, we wouldn't be here today and it is our obligation to honor their sacrifices."

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