The House passed the FY 19 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) including an amendment to ensure soldier pay adequately reflects modern warfare demands.
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg’s Congressman, released the following statement.
“As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I take seriously my responsibility to guarantee our troops have the best tools, equipment and training,” said Rep. Hudson. “Today’s legislation helps to fulfill that duty and restore readiness. Just as important, my amendment supports the most valuable asset we have – the individual soldier. These heroes can count on me to have their backs.”
Hudson went on to say, “Rebuilding our military is essential to confronting the evolving threats our country faces. At the same time, we must also ensure we are training our soldiers and paying them appropriately based on the realities of today’s warfare.”
Today’s NDAA authorizes $717 billion in defense spending, supporting an increase in topline funding to fund troops and readiness recovery. In addition, according to Hudson, it:
~Provides our troops a well-deserved pay raise of 2.6 percent—the largest in 9 years.
~Increases the size of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Naval and Air Reserve, as well as Air Guard.
~Makes major reforms in Pentagon bureaucracy and streamlines buying practices to save tax-payer dollars.
~Increases funding to rebuild our military and support readiness recovery:
~Increases funding for training in each of the Services;
~$18.6 billion to begin to rehabilitate and replace worn out Army equipment;
~$39.5 billion to begin to overcome the crisis in military aviation by getting more aircraft in the air;
~$36.0 billion to restore America’s strength at sea;
~$23.3 billion to sustain, repair and rebuild crumbling military buildings and other infrastructure.
~Makes critical investments in missile defense and our nuclear deterrent, which is the cornerstone of our national security.
~Makes key investments in other critical military capabilities to confront aggression and address threats around the world, including threats from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
~Authorizes funding for co-development and co-production of missile defense and weapon systems with our key ally Israel.
~Advances innovative technologies that will reform the way we will fight and win wars.
