Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) supported House passage yesterday evening of H.R. 4909, the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The annual defense legislation includes language that Congressman Wittman ushered through as Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and sets aside $5 billion in additional funds for ship and aircraft depot maintenance, aviation training and readiness, and long-neglected facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization accounts. Congressman Wittman released this statement following House passage by a bipartisan majority of 227-147:

“Full House passage of the NDAA demonstrates Congress’s ongoing commitment to protecting our men and women in uniform and maintaining our military’s cutting edge capabilities. As increasing threats to our national security develop, so must our resolve to deter those threats and defeat rogue actors intent on doing harm to the U.S. and its allies. Assuring military readiness remains the most important aspect of that challenge.

“Unfortunately, this Administration has undermined our military’s ability to provide the necessary equipment and training for our troops to deploy by using funds that should be reserved for the base budget to pay for overseas operations. This bill takes critical first steps to combat that short-sighted policy. It shifts $18 billion from the Offshore Contingency Operations (OCO) fund into our military’s base budget, providing funding for our service men and women on the front lines and troop training and equipment back at home. In addition, it bolsters our Navy fleet, supports military construction, halts troop draw-down, and sets the stage for increased Army and Marine troop levels.

“This is a responsible bill that prioritizes our war fighters and brings us closer to full-spectrum readiness. It’s the least we can do for the men and women who risk their lives to protect our American way of life.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.

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