Barry Moore lone delegation vote against NDAA continues to highlight spending bills flaws
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan conference report to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. The final report, which sets policy for the U.S. military, left out several partisan Republican agenda items that were added by Republicans to the NDAA on the House floor in the House version of the bill in July, igniting a months-long partisan impasse with the White House, and the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate. Thursday’s compromise version of the NDAA sets Defense policy for the year that began on October 1. Congressman Barry Moore said those conservative priorities were needed to refocus our Department of Defense solely on its mission to safeguard our national security; thus voting against the bipartisan NDAA that passed the House. Moore has subsequently tweeted for specifics about his opposition since it passed. “This version of the NDAA forces American taxpayers to fund abortion travel, sex reassignment surgeries, a one-year reauthorization of FISA with no reforms, which allows weaponized government to spy on Americans, and critical race theory initiatives teaching that our nation’s enemies are not abroad, but within our own citizens and military,” said Moore. “Earlier this year, I proudly supported the House version of this legislation, which was truly focused on military readiness and service member needs. I am disappointed that divisive policies which hold service members and taxpayers hostage to the Democrats’ radical agenda have been included in this bill, and I cannot support it.” According to Moore the FY24 conference report to the NDAA includes the following: Funding for abortion travel for service members Funding for sex re-assignment surgeries for service members Funding to teach service members CRT and DEI initiatives An automatic one-year reauthorization of FISA with no reforms, allowing for continued weaponized government through April 2025 Only watered down efforts to deter the growing influence and military capabilities of China Provides at least $600 million in funding to Ukraine Climate change initiative funding to appease Biden’s wealthy radical environmentalist base Democrats have functional control of the Senate, the largest minority in the history of the House of Representatives, and total control of the executive branch so some compromise was necessary to effectively govern. The NDAA allows the Biden Administration to continue using taxpayer funds on abortion travel, transgender surgeries, and drag shows. How does that prepare our service members to combat adversaries like China and Russia? — Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) December 15, 2023 Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) voted for the compromise version of the legislation, acknowledging that he would have preferred a more partisan GOP bill. “Despite our many policy wins, the reality of a divided government means that Republicans did not get everything we wanted,” Aderholt stated. ”I am deeply disappointed that Senate Democrats were able to strip out of a House-passed provision that would overturn President Biden’s unconstitutional policy of reimbursing servicemembers’ abortion travel costs. However, we were able to take an axe to the leftist, woke agenda that Democrats have been forcing on our military. We have put a hiring freeze for social justice warriors in the DoD, prohibited the use of federal funds to promote critical race theory, and undone the injustice done to our servicemembers who were wrongfully punished for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.” I am disappointed that divisive policies which hold service members and taxpayers hostage to the Democrats’ radical agenda have been included in the National Defense Authorization Act, and I cannot support it. See my full statement below: pic.twitter.com/RIV36ee1AE — Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) December 14, 2023 This year’s NDAA reauthorizes FISA 702 spying authority with no reforms. This means that our intelligence community can continue to conduct warrantless surveillance campaigns on Americans without penalty, including Biden’s political opponents like President Trump. — Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) December 16, 2023 The bipartisan version of the NDAA passed the House in a 310 to 118 vote. 45 Democrats and 73 Republicans voted against the final version of the NDAA. The NDAA overcame opposition from both hard-line conservative Freedom Caucus members as well as progressives who thought that Democratic leadership compromised too much. The NDAA authorizes $886 million for defense in FY2024 including a substantial increase in the amount of money that the U.S. spends on nuclear weapons as well as a 5.2% across the board pay increase for troops. This version of the NDAA has already passed the U.S. Senate, with Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville voting in favor of the measure. “I voted for this year’s defense bill for two reasons: because it’s good for Alabama and it’s good for our national security,” said Sen. Tuberville. “This bill could have been a lot stronger, but Chuck Schumer rigged the negotiation process to prevent conservatives from getting key wins on issues like taxpayer-funded abortion and DEI. We didn’t get everything we wanted this time, but we got a lot. And my fellow conservatives in Alabama and across America can be sure that I’m determined to get the rest of it in next year’s bill.” Moore is running for a third term against incumbent Congressman Jerry Carl who voted for the NDAA. The two GOP incumbents were placed in the same congressional district by a federal court to settle a Voting Rights Act complaint against the state and will face Republican primary voters on March 5, 2024. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Challenger Gerrick Wilkins criticizes incumbent Gary Palmer over his yes vote on compromise NDAA
Congressional District 6 challenger Gerrick Wilkins released a statement highly critical of incumbent Gary Palmer for voting in favor of the conference version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The 3,000-page final version of the NDAA sets defense spending at $886 billion for fiscal year 2024 and establishes defense policy for the United States. Wilkins stated that the version of the NDAA that passed the House of Representatives on Thursday incorporates provisions that run counter to conservative values. He pointed out that Congressman Palmer’s support for the NDAA, which included funding for abortion, is a stark departure from the principles upheld by many conservatives. Wilkins firmly believes that taxpayer dollars should not be allocated to procedures that contradict the deeply held beliefs of a significant portion of the electorate. Wilkins also criticized Palmer’s vote in the bill for a short-term reauthorization of FISA Section 702 surveillance provision. The Section 702 reauthorization will be reconsidered in April. Wilkins claimed that this raises concerns about potential infringements on the privacy rights of American citizens. He advocates for robust safeguards to protect individual liberties and questions Palmer’s judgment in supporting legislation that may compromise privacy rights. According to Wilkins, the NDAA also contains provisions indirectly endorsing activities such as drag shows, a stance that he claims stands at odds with traditional conservative values. Wilkins expressed his view that legislation should prioritize aligning with the values and morals of the constituents they represent. “I commend Senator (Tommy) Tuberville and Congressman Barry Moore for their principled stance in resisting the pressure to pass this massive and controversial bill without thorough scrutiny,” said Wilkins, expressing gratitude for those who stand up for the Constitution and freedom. Wilkins emphasized what he describes as stark differences in values and priorities between himself and Congressman Palmer. If elected, Wilkins says he is committed to being a voice for conservative ideals, advocating for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of individual liberties. The House passed a Republican led version of the NDAA in July. That bill was rejected by the White House and the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate, sparking a five-month delay in passing the final legislation, which was supposed to go into effect on October 1. Speaking to the his vote on the final bill Tuberville said, “I voted for this year’s defense bill for two reasons: because it’s good for Alabama and it’s good for our national security.” Tuberville went on to say, “This bill could have been a lot stronger, but Chuck Schumer rigged the negotiation process to prevent conservatives from getting key wins on issues like taxpayer-funded abortion and DEI. We didn’t get everything we wanted this time, but we got a lot. And my fellow conservatives in Alabama and across America can be sure that I’m determined to get the rest of it in next year’s bill.” “Despite our many policy wins, the reality of a divided government means that Republicans did not get everything we wanted,” Robert Aderholt explained in his statement on the passage of the bill. “I am deeply disappointed that Senate Democrats were able to strip out of a House-passed provision that would overturn President Biden’s unconstitutional policy of reimbursing servicemembers’ abortion travel costs. However, we were able to take an axe to the leftist, woke agenda that Democrats have been forcing on our military. We have put a hiring freeze for social justice warriors in the DoD, prohibited the use of federal funds to promote critical race theory, and undone the injustice done to our service members who were wrongfully punished for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.” Congressman Barry Moore was the only member of the Alabama delegation to vote against the conference committee version of the NDAA. “This version of the NDAA forces American taxpayers to fund abortion travel, sex reassignment surgeries, a one-year reauthorization of FISA with no reforms, which allows weaponized government to spy on Americans, and critical race theory initiatives teaching that our nation’s enemies are not abroad, but within our own citizens and military,” said Moore said in a statement. “Earlier this year, I proudly supported the House version of this legislation, which was truly focused on military readiness and service member needs. I am disappointed that divisive policies which hold service members and taxpayers hostage to the Democrats’ radical agenda have been included in this bill, and I cannot support it.” The bipartisan version of the NDAA passed the House in a 310 to 118 vote. Forty-five Democrats and 73 Republicans voted against the final version of the NDAA. It passed the Senate on Wednesday and is now on the President’s desk. He is expected to sign it. Gerrick Wilkins is a businessman with over 24 years in the automotive industry. He is also a husband and father. He has a bachelor’s degree from Pensacola Christian College as well as a degree in theology from Liberty University and a master’s in business administration from Samford University. Wilkins has experience managing large-scale automobile dealerships and helping other community-based dealers grow. Wilkins, Palmer, and insurance agent Ken McFeeters are all running for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District in the Republican primary on March 5. The eventual Republican nominee will then face Democrat Elizabeth Anderson in the November 5, 2024 general election. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Senate passes $716B defense bill with support of Richard Shelby, Doug Jones
The Senate voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report on Wednesday, sending it to President Donald Trump‘s desk for final approval. It passed the Senate by a vote of 87 to 10, with the approval of both Alabama Senators. The bill authorizes a total of $716 billion for national defense priorities. Specifically, the bill gives U.S. troops a 2.6 percent raise, which is the largest pay increase for our service members in nearly a decade. This bill also aligns policies and resources to assist in implementing this administration’s National Defense Strategy. “Passage of the defense authorization bill this early in the year is a hard-fought achievement for the Senate,” said Alabama U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense. “It is of the utmost importance that we prioritize our national security by properly funding our military and ensuring that they are highly trained and well-equipped to best defend the United States. This is an important step, and I look forward to securing our Defense Department’s funding through the appropriations process.” On June 11th, the Senate passed its version of the NDAA. Since then, conferees in both the House and the Senate have worked to iron out the differences between their bills. The president is expected to sign the bill into law quickly.
Martha Roby: House takes step to “provide for the common defense”
Each year in Congress, I have the honor of nominating distinguished young men and women in Alabama’s Second District for appointment to our nation’s service academies. And each year, I am blown away by these impressive students who are eager to serve our country. I was proud to recently announce my 2018 appointments to the United States service academies – the U.S. Air Force, Naval, Military, and Merchant Marine Academies – and I am looking forward to seeing all the great things these outstanding young men and women accomplish for our country and for their communities. I was truly pleased to nominate the following students who then received official appointments to one or more of the academies: Kaitlin Ann Carpenter, a graduate of Holtville High School, is the daughter of Homer and Kristen Carpenter and Catherine Carpenter. She received an offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Laurence McGrane Dowd, a graduate of Northview High School in Dothan, is the son of John and Donna Dowd. He received an offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Jared Dixon Dykman, a graduate of Enterprise High School, is the son of Dixon Dykman. He received offers of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Naval Academy. Stephen Carlos Guerrero, a graduate of Prattville High School, is the son of JC and Suzanne Guerrero. He received an offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Jailyn Mykayl Holt, a graduate of Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) in Montgomery, is the daughter of Edward and Jurilyn Holt. She received an offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Chandler Cross Jones, a graduate of Andalusia High School and Marion Military Institute, is the son of Troy Jones. Chandler received an offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Connor Michael Rainey, a graduate of Prattville High School and Marion Military Institute, is the son of George and Janet Rainey. He received offers of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. It goes without saying that we have some incredibly bright, talented students in the Second District. These men and women are to be commended for their willingness to serve, their academic excellence, and their unique leadership abilities. I am thrilled to join their families, friends, teachers, and communities in celebrating their outstanding accomplishments. As these students prepare to enter into military service in a few years, it is critical that we properly fund our military to ensure that they have all the tools they need to do their jobs. The world is a dangerous place, and we face very real threats from around the globe. I am confident that these young men and women from our district will do all they can to ensure our military remains the tip of the spear, but this must also come with the commitment from Congress that we will make sure our troops are properly supported, especially when we send them into harm’s way. I’m proud to report that the House recently passed H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2019, the annual bill that authorizes funding for military programs throughout the Department of Defense. I was proud to support the NDAA, and I look forward to seeing President Trump sign this legislation into law. Congress has a constitutional duty to “provide for the common defense” by equipping our Armed Forces with everything they need to fight the enemy, deter threats, and ultimately keep us safe. I am proud that the House followed through on this critically important responsibility for the sake of the entire military and the young men and women from Alabama’s Second District who will soon serve our country after pursuing their educations from our prestigious military academies. In Congress, I consider it one of my greatest responsibilities to support our men and women in uniform, and I will never stop working to ensure our Armed Forces receive proper funding. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Donald Trump signs $700B military budget into law
President Donald Trump signed into law the the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2018 on Tuesday. The bill, which must be signed annually, sets policy and authorizes spending for the entire U.S. military. Trump signed the NDAA during a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House surrounded by high-ranking defense officials. Among its many provisions, the bill includes: Nearly $700 billion in topline funding for the military; The addition of 20,000 troops the Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard); 2.4 percent pay raise for the troops — the largest in eight years; Provisions to improve our nation’s nuclear weapon program in light of continued threats from North Korea; Efforts to repair and improve our nation’s military infrastructure; Reforms to the military’s acquisition process; and Ends the “widow’s tax” and preserves special survivor allowance payments to more than 60,000 surviving military spouses. The 2018 NDAA also includes the authorization for three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), which are built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. — a provision supported by Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne. “With President Trump’s signature of the National Defense Authorization Act today, this is the beginning of the rebuilding of the U.S. defense forces after eight years in which we dangerously cut our armed forces, endangering the security of the American people,” Byrne said of Trump signing the NDAA. “This bill will help keep the American people safe, ensure our troops have the resources they need to defend our country, and support shipbuilding jobs right here in Southwest Alabama.” Alabama 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers served as a conferee on the bill. “I was proud to see the National Defense Authorization Act for FY18 become law today with President Trump’s signature,” said Rogers. “This critical piece of legislation funds the Pentagon, takes care of our brave men and women in uniform and helps the Anniston Army Depot. This legislation also includes the transfer of 1911s to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) so they can prepare and sell the firearms to law-abiding citizens. I am proud to have served as a conferee on this important bill and pleased to see it become law.” The only issue with the bill is that it exceeds the spending caps set by the 2011 Budget Control Act to keep deficits under control. Until lawmakers agree to roll back the $549 billion cap, federal spending is limited. “The defense bill authorizes major investments in our military’s greatest weapon of all, its warriors,” Trump said at the bill signing. “Now Congress must finish the job by eliminating the [budget cap requirements] and passing a clean appropriations bill. I think it’s going to happen.”
Martha Roby: Highlighting outstanding 2nd District STEM programs
Studies increasingly show that the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are the drivers of our global economy and that these disciplines are the primary source of all innovation. Reports also show that many firms desperately need STEM-skilled employees but are struggling to find qualified individuals. It has become clear that we’re simply not producing enough individuals trained in STEM fields to fulfill current demand, and that’s a big problem if we want our country to remain globally competitive. I’m proud to report that our district’s own military installations, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, are taking their own measures to expose elementary school students to the STEM fields and encourage students to pursue educations in these disciplines. This past Monday I had the opportunity to visit Starbase, Maxwell Air Force Base’s five-week STEM education program, that is available to 5th graders in the River Region. Students from Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore Counties visit Maxwell Air Force Base for classes once per week for five weeks for classroom instruction and hands-on learning experiences leading up to a final robotics project. The Starbase experience is offered to all 5th graders, regardless of learning abilities, physical challenges, and disciplinary concerns. Starbase will serve approximately 2,000 students this year alone, but due to funding limitations, schools must rotate participation from year to year, meaning that each school participates in the program approximately every other year. I’m excited to report that Congress has restored $25 million to the national Starbase program in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which went to President Trump’s desk this week. I also recently had the opportunity to meet with COL Craig Taylor, Commander of the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) at Fort Rucker, and he filled me in on their program called Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS). GEMS is an extracurricular STEM education program that enables 4th-11th grade students from the Wiregrass region of our state to engage in grade-appropriate, hands-on experiments. These students learn valuable math and science concepts, gain exposure to laboratory settings, and interact with military and civilian technicians, scientists, and engineers. USAARL’s GEMS program aims to reach those students who are underserved or underrepresented in STEM fields. GEMS is provided at no cost to students and since 2011 has been offered to more than 950 students from Fort Rucker, Enterprise, Ozark, Daleville, Dothan, and other communities. The Wiregrass is fortunate to have GEMS available to students in the area, and I’m excited to see its continued development of STEM students for our state. It is critically important that we train up future generations of STEM professionals in order to maintain our competitive edge in innovation. Our district’s military installations are answering that call in a big way, and we are fortunate to have the Starbase and GEMS programs available to our students. I’m proud of the work being done for STEM education at Maxwell and Fort Rucker, and I am eager to see it continue and flourish. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Bradley Byrne: Two big things you may have missed
I understand why people are so frustrated with politics these days. The American people want action, and it may not seem like much is actually getting accomplished. I share those concerns, but my frustration is not connected to my work in the House of Representatives. Despite the media’s infatuation with relitigating the 2016 election, there are very substantive bills that pass out of the House almost every week. In fact, two very important bills passed out of the House the week before Thanksgiving, and the national news media did not give either the attention they deserved. I want to quickly bring you up to speed. First, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a strong bipartisan vote of 356 to 70. The same bill then passed out of the Senate on a unanimous voice vote. As some of you may remember, the NDAA is the bill Congress must pass each year to set policy and authorize funding for the entire U.S. military. It almost always earns bipartisan support because, believe it or not, there is strong bipartisan support in Congress for a strong national defense. This year’s NDAA makes important progress toward rebuilding our military by calling for more service members, better equipment, and additional resources. The bill also authorizes the largest pay raise for our troops in eight years and includes a number of important provisions related to our nuclear weapon program in light of continued threats from North Korea The NDAA is important to Southwest Alabama because it authorizes the construction of three additional Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). These are the Navy ships that are built by Austal USA in Mobile. I pushed hard to ensure adequate support for the LCS program in an effort to make our Navy stronger and to protect thousands of jobs at the Mobile shipyard. Second, on November 16th, the House passed landmark tax reform legislation that will cut taxes and help grow the American economy. The bill, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is a key part of President Donald Trump’s agenda. The benefits of this bill aren’t abstract. Just consider the median family of four in Southwest Alabama. That family earns a little over $77,000 a year. If that family takes the standard deduction, as most do, they will see a tax cut of $1,739.16. That comes out to almost $150 extra dollars a month. That’s just as it relates to the individual tax code. When you add in additional reforms to the business and corporate code, studies have shown that the American economy will really take off, resulting in more jobs and higher wages. President Trump has predicted a “Middle Class Miracle.” These are just two of the most recent examples of the over 350 bills that have passed out of the House this year. The vast majority of those bills passed with bipartisan support, much like the NDAA. Despite roadblocks in the Senate, the House is doing our job and actively working to follow through on the agenda we all ran on in 2016. If you have a hard time cutting through the noise of the national news media, I invite you to sign up for my weekly e-newsletter to help keep up with what is happening in Washington and how it impacts Southwest Alabama. You can sign up online at Byrne.House.Gov. At the end of the day, I am going to keep doing the job you elected me to do: fighting each and every day for our shared values and for the hardworking people in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia, and Washington counties. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Martha Roby: House and Senate take important step to support our military
Thanksgiving is a special holiday because it offers us an opportunity to pause as a nation and thank God for all the ways He has blessed us. With all that is going on across our country and around the world, it can be easy to lose sight of just how much we have to be thankful for. As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I hope we can all take time count our many blessings. I’m thankful for the gift of family – for my husband Riley and our two wonderful children, Margaret and George; for our parents and all of our dear family and friends. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my state and country in the United States Congress. It is an honor to be in a position to make a difference on behalf of those I represent and to fight to make this country great for all Americans. Thank you for allowing me to represent you. I am thankful for this great country and all the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I’m abundantly grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces who have put their lives on the line to defend these freedoms – especially those who are deployed and away from their families at this very moment. Just in time for the holiday season, Congress is saying “thank you” to all service personnel by authorizing the largest military pay raise in more than eight years. It’s part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has now passed the House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Trump. As you may know, the NDAA is an annual bill authorizing various programs and activities throughout the military, ranging from weapons systems and training to military base construction and the payment of troops. After years of harmful budget cuts, this NDAA aims to rebuild our military by authorizing nearly $700 billion for the Department of Defense, increasing the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard. The bill authorizes an additional $4.4 billion to strengthen Missile Defense and an additional $1.9 billion for military facility maintenance over the President’s budget. It also makes permanent the special survivor indemnity allowance (SSIA) payments to more than 60,000 surviving military spouses. The NDAA includes strong funding for Alabama-based military missions, including Army Aviation at Fort Rucker and military education and cyber warfare at Maxwell Air Force Base. One of Congress’ most fundamental duties enumerated in the Constitution is to “provide for the common defense” of the nation. As your Representative in Congress, I take my responsibility to look out for our troops very seriously. It’s no secret that the world has seen increased threats in recent years, from the rise of ISIS in the Middle East and Africa to North Korean hostility. It is imperative that we provide the military with the tools they need to deter these threats, and I am confident this NDAA does just that. It is my great honor to serve a district that is home to two of our nation’s finest military installations in Maxwell Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, thousands of active duty and reserve personnel, and nearly 16,000 military retirees. I have always been a strong and vocal proponent of properly funding the military, and I will continue to fight to ensure that the men and women who protect us have all the tools and resources they need to be safe and successful when we send them into harm’s way. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Bradley Byrne: Rebuilding, reforming, and repairing our military
There is no greater responsibility of the federal government than to provide for the safety and security of the American people. I have found myself making this point over and over again throughout my short time in Congress. With the wide range of issues under debate here in Washington, some of my colleagues seem to forget that our most basic responsibility as outlined in the Constitution is to “provide for the common defense” of the American people. That is exactly what we did last week when the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a strong bipartisan vote of 344 to 81. As you may remember, this is the bill that authorizes funding and sets policy for the entire United States military. Needless to say, it is a critically important piece of legislation that Congress must pass each year. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Vice Chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee, I was able to play a key role in the bill as it moved through our Committee and then to the House floor for a vote. The bill is especially important this year given President Donald Trump’s pledge to grow our military. Our bill increases total military spending by 10% over last year’s levels, which will help reverse the severe readiness crisis that has been plaguing the military. Consider these numbers: thirty years ago, the Fiscal Year 1988 NDAA represented 27.3% of total federal outlays and 5.2% of projected GDP. This year’s bill authorizes funding for the military at $688.3 billion, which is 16.8% of total federal outlays and 3.4% of projected GDP. We are spending less proportionally today on our military despite the fact that we face a wider range of threats across the globe. That should be troubling to every American. Thirty years ago our nation’s military faced only one serious threat: the Soviet Union. There was no ISIS or al Qaeda or other radical Islamic terrorist organization threatening the United States. Iran was not an existential threat to the American people. North Korea wasn’t developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. China was not on the radar as it relates to military power. We weren’t worried about cyberattacks or cyber espionage. The threat environment today is incredibly complex, and we must ensure that our military funding is in line with the realities of the threats we face. This year’s NDAA is a big step in that direction. The bill increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard. It also provides for the procurement of critical military aircraft, ships, and equipment while also setting money aside for maintenance and repairs to current military resources. Important to our area, the bill authorizes the construction of three more Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), which are built in part by Austal USA in Mobile. It is critical that the bill support three ships because that is the number necessary to keep the shipyard operating at full speed and keep the cost of the ships down. Given the nuclear and ballistic missile threat posed by North Korea, the bill boosts our nation’s missile defense programs. A number of important cyber security provisions and reforms related to the space domain are also included in the bill. In an effort to support our service members and their families, the bill authorizes a 2.4% pay raise for our troops. It also includes significant provisions related to military health care, housing, and benefit programs. All told, this bill will help ensure the safety and security of the American people through rebuilding, repairing, and reforming our nation’s military. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Mike Rogers: How the NDAA affects East Alabama
As many of you across East Alabama may have heard, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018. While this bill helps rebuild America’s military, it also contains language that could positively affect us locally. Included in the NDAA was an amendment I offered that would allow the Army to release excess 1911 pistols from storage and transfer them to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for them to inspect, grade, prepare for sale and sell the pistols to the public. This policy has been included in the NDAA since 2015, but the Obama Administration blocked the Army to transfer the 1911s for political reasons. I am hopeful that with the help of the Trump Administration, we can make this provision a reality. The Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) also will see the benefit of some of the language that I was happy to be able to help shape. Like one that would extend the authority of the Department of Defense to pay depot employees deployed to combat zones an additional allowance and benefits due to the dangerous nature of their locations. Another provision would also extend authority to make it easier for the Depot’s leadership to consider temporary and term employees for permanent positions when they become available. This policy allows the leadership at the Depot the maximum flexibility and gives them the ability to hire good folks they have already trained. I am proud this year’s bill included a 2.4 percent pay raise for our military. This would be the biggest pay raise in eight years. These brave Americans protect our freedoms and liberties every day and we owe them so much. The NDAA still has to go to conference committee with the Senate, but I am pleased with the legislation that passed the House and will continue to fight to make sure America’s military is robust and fully equipped. ••• Mike Rogers is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District.
Defense bill passes committee with support of 3 Ala. members, boosts military, supports shipbuilding
The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) voted 60-1 to authorize $696.5 billion in defense spending for 2018 Wednesday night with the support of three Members of the Alabama delegation that sit on the committee. Reps. Bradley Byrne (AL-01), Mike Rogers (AL-03) and Mo Brooks (AL-05) all voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding and sets policy for the entire U.S. military. Many reforms were included in this year’s NDAA, including: Increases total military spending by 10% to rebuild from our current readiness crisis; Funds a 2.4% pay raise for our troops; Reforms the military’s acquisition process to make it more efficient; Improves oversight of cyber operations; Creates a new U.S. Space Corps to oversee the evolving space domain; Increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard; Supports improvements to military facilities with a focus on restoration and modernization; and Authorizes construction of 13 new Navy ships to grow toward a 355 ship fleet. “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act helps rebuild our nation’s military, boosts shipbuilding in an effort to grow our fleet, and ensures our military men and women have the resources necessary to defend our country,” said Byrne of the NDAA. “Once again, we were able to secure authorization for the construction of three more Littoral Combat Ships, which are built right here in Southwest Alabama. These ships continue to excel in the fleet, and that is a testament to the over 4,000 men and women who work at the Mobile shipyard. The legislation included language important for Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District that affects the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and the Anniston Army Depot (ANAD). Language was also included to study some of the funding mechanisms of the depot in hopes of using the information to make workload planning more dependable and consistent. “The men and women and the Anniston Army Depot work very hard to support our nation’s warfighter and I want to ensure we are doing everything we can in Congress to support them,” said Rogers. “This is the first step in providing our nation’s military personnel with the resources needed to protect America,” remarked Brooks. “The FY18 NDAA authorizes a very substantial $62 billion increase over FY 2017 funding, thereby taking significant steps to reverse military declines and addressing America’s military readiness crisis by increasing the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard.” The bill is expected to be considered by the full House in July.
House keeps armed forces operating, approves $578 billion
The full U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the fiscal year 2017 defense appropriations bill, with the support of the entire Alabama delegation, with a bipartisan 371-48 vote. In total, the bill includes $577.9 billion in funding, which is an increase of $5.2 billion over last year’s funding levels. “The bill closely reflects the Defense Appropriations bill the House passed last summer, and is consistent with the final National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017,” according to a statement from the House Appropriations Committee. “The legislation funds critical national security needs, including military operations and readiness programs, as well as health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families.” The bill has several big wins for the Yellowhammer State, including funding for three more Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), which are built in part by Austal USA, which employs over 4,000 people at their shipyard in Mobile. It contains $8.2 billion for the procurement of 74 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, and the Montgomery-based 187th Fighter Wing is on the short list for being assigned this next-generation fighter jet. The bill also contains a strong budget for Army Aviation, including $187 million for 28 Lakota helicopters, which are the primary aircraft used for training at the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker. Funding for key R&D priorities for the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville have aso been increased Additional bill highlights include: Rejects the Obama Administration’s proposed troop level reductions that would cut as many as 36,000 servicemen and women from the Armed Forces; Fully funds a 2.1% pay raise for the military personnel; Provides for 1,305,900 active-duty troops and 813,200 Guard and Reserve troops; Provides funding for an additional 1,000 active duty Army soldiers, 1,000 Army National Guard soldiers, 1,000 Army Reserve soldiers, and 1,000 active duty Marines; Funds ongoing military operations against ISIS and other terrorist organizations; Provides funding for 13 Navy ships, 74 F-35 aircraft, 61 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and other key military programs; Includes funding to address readiness shortfalls and much-needed maintenance; and Boosts funding for research and development of new military technology. Here’s what the Alabama delegation had to say about their votes: Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Ensuring our military men and women have the funding and resources to do their job is a fundamental responsibility of Congress. By passing the Defense Appropriations Act today, the House is further reaffirming our strong, bipartisan commitment to supporting the U.S. military. Working with my House and Senate colleagues, I am proud we were able to secure funding for the construction of three more Littoral Combat Ships. These ships are a key component of the Navy’s fleet, and the additional funding is vital to the future of the Austal shipyard in Mobile. I call on the Senate to quickly pass this funding bill and send it to President Trump’s desk for his signature. Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: I am proud to represent a district that is home to both Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base. I’m pleased to report that this bill contains a strong budget for Army Aviation, including $187 million for 28 Lakota helicopters. It also contains an increase of almost $450 million for the Air Force’s cyber security efforts. This Appropriations bill also contains funding for the procurement of 74 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The Montgomery-based 187th Fighter Wing is on the short list for being assigned this next-generation fighter jet, and our Alabama congressional delegation is working together to make the case to the Air Force why this special unit is an ideal fit. Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: Importantly, H.R.1301 includes a 2.1% pay raise for our service men and women, reverses the Obama Administration’s drawdown of troops, and increases funding for Israeli Cooperative Programs by $455 million. In total, $600.7 million is provided for the Israeli Cooperative Programs, including $332 million for equipment procurement and $269 million for research and development. An additional $43 million is included for Israeli anti-tunneling efforts. I’m very pleased key priorities for the Redstone Arsenal community have been increased – notably high energy laser research, cybersecurity research for a variety of Army platforms and integration of systems, and the Army’s important continued investment in Future Vertical Lift. Check back, this article will be updated as more statements are available.
