Congressman Mitchell Statement on House Armed Services Committee Markup of NDAA
Press Release
Congressman Paul Mitchell (MI-10), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, commonly known as the NDAA.
"One of Congress' core duties is providing for the common defense. The NDAA is of great importance to our national security and I am pleased that for the 60th year the House Armed Services Committee advanced a bill that supports our military and our nation.
This year's NDAA funds military readiness and modernizes our Armed Forces to confront threats to our national security. Critically, it provides our troops and their families with a 3% pay raise to ensure they have the support they have earned. It also includes provisions that address the need for an Indo-Pacific deterrence initiative, as well as support for capabilities important to Michigan's 10th District, such as strong investments in ground combat vehicles and a prohibition on prematurely retiring A-10s.
I am glad to see bipartisan support for this bill and am proud to do right by military families and continue to build and maintain the strongest military in the world."
Several of Congressman Mitchell's priorities were incorporated into the bill during today's committee markup. Some of those include:
An amendment to address deficiencies in the Air Force's strategic basing process that denied Selfridge a squadron of F-35s, including analyses of community support, joint and all-domain training capabilities, and total airspace available for training as part of the strategic basing process for an aircraft.
A permanent authorization and increased funding for the National Security Innovation Network, which is a primary pathway to bring innovative thinkers and companies into the Department of Defense.
Investments in critical and innovative technologies under development in Michigan, such as development of fuel cell-powered vehicles, weldable ultra-hard armor, and advanced future generation hypersonic materials and manufacturing processes.
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