McCaul Applauds Passage of NDAA

Statement

Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), the Lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020.

"I want to thank my fellow conferees for working to craft an improved and bipartisan NDAA that supports our troops by providing them with the tools they need to defend our great nation against our strategic adversaries Russia and China, and other threats to the homeland. This bill includes important priorities from the Foreign Affairs Committee, like placing sanctions on countries who support Russia's efforts to use energy pipelines as a tool of coercion against the countries of Europe. Additionally, it codifies the Administration's decision to kick Turkey out of the F-35 program because it insisted on purchasing the Russian S-400 air defense system, which endangers the security of NATO member countries.

"The bill also includes the long overdue Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act that I introduced with Chairman Eliot Engel. We are sending a strong message to countries, like Russia, who enable and support the Assad regime's brutal, ongoing war on the Syrian people by enacting sanctions.

"With over 164,000 active military from Texas, I could not be more supportive that this year's NDAA rightfully maintains the largest pay raise for our troops we have seen in a decade. In addition to increased pay, military families will now receive 12 weeks of parental leave. With the repeal of the Widow's Tax, spouses will no longer be subject to an unnecessary offset when receiving the benefits of their loved one. This is a strong bill that supports the national security of the United States and supports our nation's military personnel. I could not be prouder to have supported it."

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