Banks Praises House Passage Of 2018 NDAA

Last updated on Friday, July 14, 2017

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today praised House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018. The bill would restore military readiness, address threats and promote effective investments to rebuild the military. During debate on the legislation, Banks spoke in support of the bill. The legislation passed the House 344 to 81.

"The core of the federal government's job is to protect American citizens, and our armed forces are currently facing a serious readiness crisis," said Banks. "Only one-third of our army brigades are ready to deploy, our Navy is the smallest it's been in 99 years and the Air Force is the smallest we've ever had. In order to be able to deter our enemies, and if necessary, defeat them, we need to have ready, trained, modernized forces, and this bill sets us on a path to accomplish that goal."

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes $631.5 billion in spending for defense needs and a $28.5 billion increase for essential readiness recovery above the President's budget request.

Local Highlights:

Harris: The NDAA contains $117.5 million in funding for the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) program to function in place of the Electro-Optical/Infrared mission (EO/IR) until the EO/IR is fully fielded. The bill also contains $10 million in funding for the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imager weather systems. Harris employs 551 employees across Indiana and 530 employees in the Third District.

Indiana National Guard: The bill contains language specifically encouraging the Secretary of the Air Force to carry out the authorized transfer of F-16s to the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne as soon as possible and to brief the Committee by September 1, 2017 on the progress of A-10 and F-16 basing decisions. The bill also includes text to ensure that guardsmen and reservists receive the same access to health care as other service members. Additionally, it funds the Fort Wayne's International Airport's addition to Building 764 for weapons release at $1.9 million.

Ultra Electronics: Approximately $14.9 million was included in the bill for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation for Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD), which would be available to Ultra Electronics to continue its research and development efforts. Ultra Electronics provides 425 jobs in Indiana's Third District. The bill also contains $18 million for SSTD procurement and $198.5 million for sonobuoy procurement.

Other Highlights

Military Personnel and Pay: The NDAA calls for a 2.4% pay raise for service members.

Military Families: Guards against reducing inpatient care at military medical treatment facilities outside the United States and provides resources to families to assist with relocation and relicensing.

Rebuilding Readiness: Makes key investments in the military that the President's budget did not provide. The NDAA will begin to recover our armed forces readiness and rebuild our troops.

Maintenance: Increases Navy ship and aircraft depot maintenance and afloat readiness, while including additional funding for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force operation and maintenance.

Facilities: Increases funding for military facilities.

Missile Defense: Increases the authorization of funds to procure additional interceptor missiles, increase investments in the ground-based midcourse defense system and boost phase missile defense.

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