Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and conferee on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21 NDAA), released the following statement on the release of the conference report:

“After an arduous process full of months of negotiations and discussions, made more difficult by the impacts of COVID-19, I am proud to have been appointed a conferee to finalize the bills between the House and the Senate and have signed the bipartisan conference report. This is a piece of legislation that I believe does right by our men and women in uniform and provides sound, strong defense policy for the next year. As a core conferee, I am pleased with the report as it will give our armed forces the tools and resources necessary to deter our adversaries, support our allies, and project power around the globe.

“As the Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I am proud that we were able to take an originally undesirable shipbuilding request and turn it into a more reasonable product. Paramount among this final funding result is the restoration of a second Virginia-class submarine and the required advanced procurement to maintain the two-per-year build rate. These submarines are critical to both our national defense strategy and the Commonwealth’s economy. Additionally, I was pleased to see the inclusion of my bill H.R. 7195, which will allow for the multi-year procurement of three smaller amphibious ships and one large deck amphibious ship that will save the taxpayers roughly a billion dollars. Ultimately, the shipbuilding account procures nine battle force ships including one Columbia-class fleet ballistic missile submarine; two Virginia-class submarines; two DDG 51 Arleigh Burke destroyers; one guided missile Frigate (FFG); two T-ATS towing, salvage, and rescue ships; and one expeditionary fast transport ship (EPF).

“The conference report also fully funds the critical B-21 Raider bomber program, as well as the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program and provides additional P-8 aircraft to combat the undersea threat. Finally, it includes the creation and authorization of the Tanker Fleet Security Program, a program that will continue to address our inability to appropriately transport fuel by creating a stipend for ten U.S.-flagged fuel transport ships to be chartered for this purpose.

“Outside the seapower portfolio, I was pleased with the inclusion of my bill, H.R.8263, Ensuring opportunities for Department of Defense participation in wildlife conservation banking programs. This bill will establish accountable performance standards and criteria for conservation banking and will maximize available credits and opportunities for mitigation. Ultimately, by establishing objective, measurable criteria for conservation results, this new policy will accelerate the regulatory process while achieving conservation results that are not otherwise being gained. This is a win for the Department of Defense, our environment, and our wildlife.

“Additionally, the conference report includes several other provisions I am proud to support such as a 3.0% pay raise for our servicemembers, funding for future warfare projects being done in Virginia’s First District, such as the railgun and directed energy projects, and making sure our Armed Forces have the diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities, and the personal protective equipment necessary to protect servicemembers from the threat of infectious diseases.

“The FY21 NDAA supports our military community both throughout our nation and here in the Commonwealth. Our area is home to one of the largest populations of military members, their families, and the hardworking Americans who develop and support the platforms, systems, and programs that our warfighters use to execute their critical missions around the globe. Advocating for these individuals is one of my top priorities, and I am proud of the provisions in the FY21 NDAA that put our military community first.

“For 59 years, this piece of bipartisan legislation has been signed into law as it is what is necessary to support our troops and set the defense policy for our nation.”

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 serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.