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WASHINGTON - The House Armed Services Committee today passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18).

The bill, one of the few passed annually by Congress, includes numerous local priorities championed by Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01).

"The Virginia priorities in this bill are critical not only to our Commonwealth's economy and continued role as the national leader in supporting our Armed Forces, but in the national security of our country as well," Rep. Wittman said. "I was pleased to be able to advance these important provisions through the committee and look forward to continuing to promote them as the NDAA process moves forward."

Local Priorities in NDAA for FY18 include:

* Improvement of the U.S. Navy’s public shipyards, like Norfolk Naval Shipyard, in the following areas:

a. Personnel- Requests an employment development plan to estimate resources needed, workforce hiring targets, training necessary, and overtime support.

b. Infrastructure- Identify deficiencies and develop a plan with proposed infrastructure projects associated with returning our Navy to a 355 ship Fleet, specifically as it relates to nuclear work.

* Langley Air Force Base: Encourages the Chief of Staff of the Air Force to ensure that CAOC-X and other regional CAOCs (like Langley) are resourced, manned, and fully utilized to serve as a training venue for the planning, execution, and command and control of joint forces taking part in major regional joint exercises.

* George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge, Yorktown, VA- Requests a briefing from the DoD on the military value of the Coleman Bridge’s swingspan, to include a discussion with local and State stakeholders that have financial responsibility for the management of the bridge.

* The Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Wittman, was added as an amendment to the NDAA. The bill advances the capabilities of two-year community and technical colleges to assist the federal government and industry in securing the talent pipeline for domestic maritime industry jobs, which will mean more shipbuilders and repairmen to sustain and expand trade and grow our Navy's Fleet.

Now that it has passed the Armed Services Committee, the NDAA can be brought to the House floor for a vote.

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 the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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