U.S. House passes defense spending bill, take 2

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a revised $607 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Thursday, after a previous version of the bill had been vetoed by President Barack Obama last month.

The new bill passed 370-58 in the House, with the support of the entire Alabama delegation.

“Although this bill was not perfect, I was pleased it passed the House with my strong support after President Obama chose to play political games by vetoing the original NDAA,” said Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) of the new bill. “It is imperative our military have assurance of funding, and I hope this bill will move quickly through the Senate and President Obama will sign it into law.”

The revised bill included $5 billion in spending cuts that were not included in the previous legislation, reflecting  a budget agreement between the Obama administration and Congressional GOP leadership. The agreement addressed what the President previously called a Republican “gimmick”  — using a wartime account known as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) — to fund defense.

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01) took to Facebook to share the news of the bill’s passing, “The House just passed, by a veto-proof majority, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This is the bill President Obama vetoed a few weeks ago that includes authorization for three additional Littoral Combat Ships, which are built in part by Austal USA in Mobile. I was proud to help make the bill a reality, and I call on the President to stop with the political games and finally sign the bill.”

The Senate is expected to vote on, and pass, the revised NDAA as soon as next week.