Reps. Mike Rogers and Robert Aderholt applaud passage of NDAA
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congressmen Mike Rogers (R-AL03) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) released statements applauding the House passage of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Our nation faces unprecedented threats – the National Defense Authorization Act has never been more vital,” said Rep. Rogers. “With today’s passage of the FY24 NDAA, Congress has sent a strong message to our adversaries. The FY24 NDAA provides our military with the vital authorities, resources, and capabilities that our warfighters need to stay ahead of our adversaries. The FY24 NDAA supports our servicemembers, guts Biden’s woke agenda, deters China, and strengthens our military. I urge President Biden to quickly sign this bill into law.” Rogers is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, which is tasked with preparing the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act each year. “Today, I voted in favor of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, the NDAA, authorizing critical funds for our nation’s military,” said Rep. Aderholt. “I am proud to support a 5.2% pay raise for our troops, directing the Department of Defense to help secure our Southern border, and scrutinizing the Biden Administration’s politicized basing decision that would deny the US SPACE COMMAND its rightful and preferred home in Alabama.” Aderholt said that the new NDAA contains a number of key priorities for Alabama. “On top of all of that, we’ve continued our support for hypersonics being built right here in the 4th District in Courtland and given a boost to domestic shipyards like the ones in Mobile,” said Aderholt. This bill also takes significant steps to counter the Chinese Communist Party at home by securing our supply chains and abroad by strengthening our deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.” Aderholt said that the NDAA also strengthens U.S. alliances. “This bill sends a much-needed message of leadership to our friends and allies,” said Aderholt. “I am particularly encouraged by the provisions that will facilitate the AUKUS partnership between the U.S., U.K., and Australia, as well as the timely provisions to assist Israel and Taiwan, respectively. Further, I am reassured by the establishment of additional safeguards for our security assistance to Ukraine in the form of the Special Inspector General dedicated to ensure American taxpayer dollars are not wasted.” An earlier House version of the NDAA contained several partisan Republican provisions that led to a political impasse over the bill with the Senate. Many of those GOP planks were ultimately removed in the final, more bipartisan version of the NDAA, including an amendment overturning President Biden’s controversial military abortion policy. “Despite our many policy wins, the reality of a divided government means that Republicans did not get everything we wanted,” Aderholt stated bluntly. ”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.” The NDAA has already passed the United States Senate. It now goes to the President’s desk for his signature. With the NDAA passed, Congress can now go on its Christmas holiday. They will address the FY2024 budget bills in January. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Mike Rogers calls for 50-year-old missiles to be replaced
Last week’s test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ended in failure. On Friday, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) released a statement in which he said that the failed test shows that the United States should begin developing a long-term replacement for the legacy missiles which have served this country as its primary nuclear deterrent for over a half-century. “Minuteman III was initially designed in the 1960s and deployed in the 1970s, with an expected service life of a decade,” Rep. Rogers said. “It has served our country well and we will continue to depend on it to deter nuclear war until the 2030s, but this week’s test is a stark reminder that nothing lasts forever. Despite this fact, the far-left disarmament community has continued their push to delay the recapitalization of the land-leg of our triad and life-extend these legacy systems instead of replacing them. This debate has grown increasingly detached from reality; further life extension is simply infeasible, and 50-year-old missiles are not the answer to China and Russia’s expanding nuclear arsenals. We must modernize our aging nuclear deterrent and replace the Minuteman III missile – as well as the rest of our nuclear enterprise – with modern systems.” The U.S. Air Force and Space Force had to terminate the test of the Minuteman missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly occurred with the craft. The missile was launched from Vanderberg Space Force Base in California. Dramatic increases in what the United States spends on nuclear weapons had been part of the bipartisan plan for 2024, but partisan disagreements over Ukraine, the size of the deficit, IRS agents, abortion, border security, and other topics, as well as petty internal GOP squabbling over House leadership has delayed passage of both the defense budget and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for nearly six weeks and there is no sign that either gets done any time soon. The United States nuclear deterrent is based on a triad system. ICBMs, primarily the aging Minuteman III missiles, are one leg of that triad. The second is 25 Ohio class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Those will be replaced with the new Columbia class starting in the 2030s. The third leg are bombers comprised of the aging B-52s, increasingly obsolescent B-1s, and the stealth B-2s. A new stealth bomber – the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, is under development. The deployment of anti-satellite weaponry combined with nuclear warheads on hypersonic missiles launched from ground launchers, bombers, and submarines is potentially a technological game changer that could alter the global balance of power, particularly if the major powers break out of the START III treaty – as appears increasingly likely. Rogers is serving in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. Rogers has qualified for reelection. At this point, Rogers is facing one qualified primary challenger but no general election opponent. The deadline for 2024 major party qualifying is Friday at 5:00 p.m. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Joe Biden signs $768.2 billion defense spending bill into law
President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law Monday, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending, including a 2.7% pay raise for service members, for 2022. The NDAA authorizes a 5% increase in military spending and is the product of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over issues ranging from reforms of the military justice system to COVID-19 vaccine requirements for soldiers. “The Act provides vital benefits and enhances access to justice for military personnel and their families, and includes critical authorities to support our country’s national defense,” Biden said in a statement. The $768.2 billion price tag marks $25 billion more than Biden initially requested from Congress, a prior proposal that was rejected by members of both parties out of concerns it would undermine U.S. efforts to keep pace militarily with China and Russia. The new bill passed earlier this month with bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans touting wins in the final package. Democrats applauded provisions in the bill overhauling how the military justice system handles sexual assault and other related crimes, effectively taking prosecutorial jurisdiction over such crimes out of the hands of military commanders. Republicans, meanwhile, touted success in blocking an effort to add women to the draft, as well as the inclusion of a provision that bars dishonorable discharges for service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. The bill includes $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and a statement of congressional support for the defense of Taiwan, measures intended to counteract China’s influence in the region. It also includes $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a show of support in the face of Russian aggression, as well as $4 billion for the European Defense Initiative. In his statement, the president also outlined a number of provisions his administration opposes over what he characterized as “constitutional concerns or questions of construction.” Those planks include provisions that restrict the use of funds to transfer or release individuals detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which the Biden administration is moving to close. Biden’s statement said the provisions “unduly impair” the executive branch’s ability to decide when and where to prosecute detainees and where to send them when they’re released, and could constrain U.S. negotiations with foreign countries over the transfer of detainees in a way that could undermine national security. The law also has provisions barring goods produced by forced Uyghur labor in China from entering the U.S., and it begins to lay out plans for the new Global War on Terror Memorial, which would be the latest addition to the National Mall. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Congress passes $770 billion defense bill, allows discharge over vaccine refusal
Congress passed a $770 billion defense bill Wednesday, authorizing a wide range of military spending for the next year. The Senate passed the bipartisan 2022 National Defense Authorization Act with an 89-10 vote, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden. The bill, which is passed annually in some form, includes a revamp of how the military deals with sexual assaults as well as a 2.7% pay increase for military members and employees at the Department of Defense. The bill also creates an “Afghanistan War Commission” to evaluate the U.S. military’s presence – and withdrawal from – that nation. “The passage of this year’s national defense bill bolsters our security, ensures our nation’s defenders can effectively confront adversaries like Communist China and Russia, and directly benefits Tennessee’s military and research communities,” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. The NDAA came after months of wrangling over the debt ceiling, funding for the government, and the infrastructure and “Build Back Better” spending bills. The legislation, which Biden is expected to sign, funds the gamut of military activity, from new equipment to salaries and more. The bill faced several points of contention, including when a contingent of Republicans fought to include language protecting U.S. service members who refuse to take the COVID vaccine. The head of the Department of Defense, Lloyd Austin, announced earlier this year that service members who refuse the vaccine will likely face discharge. After Republican efforts, the newly passed NDAA prevents them from receiving dishonorable discharges, but they can still be discharged. “In addition, this year’s NDAA includes a provision I fought for that removes the ability for the military to dishonorably discharge service members who choose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said in a statement. “As President Biden’s unlawful vaccine mandates are continually challenged, this reform prevents our brave servicemen and women from being punished like convicted criminals for simply making what they believe is the best medical decision for themselves,” he said. “I will continue to fight to ensure that service members who refuse the vaccine are not punished for their private healthcare choices,” Cruz added. A spokeswoman for the Air Force said Monday the branch had discharged 27 service members, reportedly for refusing the COVID vaccine. These discharges are the first with more expected. The Biden administration has defended the mandate for service members, arguing only a small percentage have refused. “My understanding is that 99 percent of the Air Force is in compliance. So, we’re talking about less than 1 percent, which – to us, the story is that it’s more than 99 percent who are in compliance,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday. “I would also note – and they can give you more detail on this – but this is at the end of months of counseling and engagement with those not in compliance about what is required here.” Another controversial provision that did not make the final version of the bill was an effort to include women in selective service, otherwise known as the draft. “Democrats tried to use the NDAA to draft America’s daughters and force their radical social ideologies onto our troops,” Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said in a statement. “Thankfully, they failed, and this year’s defense bill largely does what it should: support and strengthen our troops.” By Casey Harper Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Bradley Byrne: 2019: A year in review
At this time last year, I predicted that the upcoming year with a Democrat majority in the House would be much different. While most activity in the House centered around efforts to impeach our President, I did not let that stop me from fighting for you and our state. One of our most significant victories this year for Alabama was reforming the Medicare wage index formula. For three decades, hospitals in rural states like Alabama have been underpaid in Medicare reimbursements. Upon taking office, I began fighting for a fix. With the election of President Donald Trump, I found that we had an administration willing to listen and work with us, and as a result, Alabama’s hospitals have begun receiving significantly higher Medicare reimbursements. In the past, these dollars were siphoned off towards high population areas like New York and Los Angeles at an unfair rate. I was also proud to lead the Trump Administration’s school choice bill in the House, the Education Freedom Scholarship and Opportunity Act. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos asked me and Senator Ted Cruz to be their champions in Congress for this Trump policy priority, and support continues growing for our bill. It was an honor to join President Trump several weeks ago in an education round-table at the White House and to advocate for providing options for students locked into failing schools. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’m proud of my record advocating for a strong national defense. This year Congress passed an important National Defense Authorization Act that enables us to rebuild our military readiness after years of stagnation in the Obama administration. The bill allows for continued counter drug enforcement at our border, accelerates programs to counter Chinese and Russian aggression, and authorizes important bipartisan nuclear modernization programs. It also gives our troops the largest pay raise in a decade, repeals the widow’s tax, and establishes the Space Force. Sadly, our Second Amendment rights are under assault like no time in our history. I was proud to lead 120 of my colleagues in filing a brief before the Supreme Court in support of protecting these fundamental American rights. The case, N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. City of New York, will determine if New York’s ban on transporting a handgun to a home or shooting range outside city limits is constitutional. Our Constitution is clear that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed, and I am glad to have had so much support from my colleagues in taking a stand against these radical efforts to take away our gun rights. Finally, just weeks ago, the House passed President Trump’s USMCA trade deal to replace NAFTA. Our state stands to benefit significantly, particularly our automobile manufacturing and agriculture sectors as well as steel, energy and high-tech. The USMCA is projected to create 176,000 new American jobs and raise our GDP by $68.2 billion. We will reap benefits from this deal for years to come. Of course, I continued holding constituent town halls throughout Southwest Alabama, and I have now held over 125 since taking office. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate everyone who has participated over the years. We have a great state full of amazing people, and I am glad to be among the leaders in Congress in the number of town halls held. Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Congress. I will continue fighting for you in 2020.
Martha Roby: Supporting our military
This past week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 with a vote of 377-48. This annual bill authorizes the various military programs and defense activities in the Department of Defense. It does not provide budget authority, which will be provided in future legislation. The United States Armed Forces are the world’s most powerful military. It is imperative for our country’s national security and the performance of our military that Congress provide ample support for our defense. This bill allows us to make progress toward increasing the strength and agility of our military. The FY 2020 NDAA bill provides a 3.1 percent pay raise to our troops, which is the largest pay increase in a decade. The bill will also establish the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the military within the U.S. Air Force. As a representative in the U.S. Congress, it is my duty to be a voice for my constituents in Southeast Alabama, and supporting our military is one of my top priorities. The Second Congressional District is home to two of our nation’s finest military installations – Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass and Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. Not only do we have a strong defense industry in the Second District, but the state of Alabama’s military footprint is largely significant as well. Several service members and active duty military families reside in our District, so it is vitally important that I commit my support to them. Their sacrifice and dedication to keeping our country safe must never be forgotten. By representing these men and women, I know the extreme importance of providing the members of our military with the best resources possible to ensure they are fit for whatever challenges they may face. From my first day in Congress until my last, I will continue to fight for sufficient military funding to safeguard the security of our nation. Providing for our common defense is a fundamental duty of the Congress as laid out in the Constitution. I am proud to have voted in favor of this critical piece of legislation. The decisions and votes I cast in Congress express the overall voice of our District, and I will always advocate for proper support of our nation’s defense. By supporting this bill, I believe I am doing what’s right by the service members of the Second District. It is truly an honor to represent the remarkable service members and veterans of my constituency. I am thankful for the opportunity to have this unique platform to fight for these men and women who selflessly dedicate themselves to defend and protect our nation. Thank you to all of our men and women in uniform. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
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.
