U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Thursday voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which continues the rebuilding of the military and provides servicemembers a 2.6 percent pay raise.
“Our national security depends on the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, and we are ensuring they have the tools, training, and support they need to keep America safe,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This bipartisan defense bill not only advances the critical work already underway to rebuild our military, it also gives our servicemembers their biggest pay raise in nine years.”
BACKGROUND
The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H.R. 5515) by a bipartisan vote of 351 to 66.
Rebuilding Our Military
- Authorizes $717 billion in defense funding for FY19.
- Increases size of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard.
- Boosts investment in maintenance, training, restoration, and modernization.
- Makes key reforms to Pentagon bureaucracy and streamlines acquisition process.
Supporting Our Troops
- Fully funds a 2.6 percent pay increase for servicemembers – their biggest raise in nine years.
- Extends special pay and bonuses for servicemembers in high-demand fields.
- Requires comprehensive review of wounded warrior care and mental health services.
- Ensures no military medical treatment facility is closed until all facilities are transitioned to the Defense Health Agency.
Keeping Our Nation Safe
- Maintains existing prohibitions on closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay or transferring terrorist detainees to U.S. soil.
- Enhances missile defense and nuclear deterrence capabilities to counter increasing threats from hostile nations.
- Provides critical resources to destroy terrorist networks and confront threats from countries like North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China.
- Supports co-development of missile defense systems with Israel and co-production of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow weapons systems.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
