Wittman Statement on House Passage of FY16 NDAA

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) supported passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016. The annual legislation, which the House of Representatives approved by a bipartisan vote of 370-58, provides policy guidance and authorization for the Department of Defense.

The vote comes on the heels of the President's veto of an earlier version of the NDAA over domestic policy differences and the subsequent passage into law of The Bipartisan Budget Agreement Act, H.R. 1314, a measure that includes a $5 billion reduction in the amount the President requested this year for our nation's defense programs.

"I could not support the Budget Agreement in part because it did not go far enough to repair sequester-imposed cuts to our military," Wittman said. "The spending adjustments that had to be made as a result of the $5 billion reduction were spread across more than 100 separate military programs, including cuts to funding for readiness and equipment."

"Passage of NDDA today demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a military that is in the highest state of working order," Wittman continued. "It is essential that we push forward and send the President a military authorization bill that contains all the original NDAA provisions, including improved pay and benefits for active duty service members, expanded Veteran care, and reinforcement of our shipbuilding and other military support industries. Assuring military readiness remains the most important aspect of our national defense, and we must maintain our nation's military status as the greatest force for peace the world has ever known."

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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