U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Tuesday released the following statement after the House passed the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report (H.R. 2810):
“Our most important responsibility is the national defense, and this bill gives our servicemembers the tools, training, and support they need to keep us safe.
“It gives our troops their biggest pay raise in eight years. It boosts military resources after years of underfunding. And it restores our Armed Forces to full strength.
“I was honored to serve on the conference committee that negotiated this bipartisan bill, and I am committed to working with President Trump to ensure we continue investing the resources necessary to rebuild our military and protect our national security.”
BACKGROUND
The House voted to agree to the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2810, NDAA for FY2018, by a bipartisan vote of 356 to 70. The Senate is expected to follow suit in the coming days and send the annual defense policy bill to the president’s desk. Walorski served on the conference committee that negotiated the final version of the legislation.
Rebuilding Our Military
- Authorizes $699.9 billion in defense funding, an increase of $26 billion over the president’s budget requests.
- Aims to close the readiness gap by boosting investment in maintenance, training, restoration, and modernization.
- Increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard to restore the Armed Forces to full strength.
- Reforms Pentagon acquisition process, including provisions similar to a Walorski-authored amendment to improve program efficiency.
Supporting Our Troops
- Fully funds the 2.4 percent pay raise servicemembers are entitled to under the law – the biggest in eight years.
- Provides support and resources to help address the unique challenges military families face, such as relocation and licensing.
- Permanently extends Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance for surviving military spouses.
Keeping Our Nation Safe
- Maintains existing prohibitions on closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay or transferring terrorist detainees to U.S. soil.
- Provides critical resources to confront threats around the world and destroy terrorist networks such as ISIS and al-Qaeda.
- Boosts missile defense funding to counter increasing threats from hostile nations like North Korea.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
