U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Tuesday released the following statement after President Trump signed into law the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810):
“The national defense bill President Trump just signed into law will give our troops their biggest pay raise in eight years and ensure they have the tools, training, and support they need to confront any threat. This bipartisan law boosts investment in our Armed Forces after years of underfunding so the military can rebuild and keep our nation safe.”
BACKGROUND
The House last month voted to approve the conference report for the fiscal year 2018 NDAA by a bipartisan vote of 356 to 70. 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.
