Congressman Wittman backs full committee passage of FY 2017 Defense Authorization Bill

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, April 28 applauded the House Armed Services Committee’s passage of H.R. 4909, the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The defense bill incorporates legislative language that was considered before the Readiness Subcommittee and includes $5 billion in additional funds for ship and aircraft depot maintenance, aviation training and readiness, and long-neglected facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization accounts.

“The men and women who serve and sacrifice on our behalf deserve our unyielding support,” Wittman said. “It is our job to make sure that our war fighters have the training and equipment they need to fulfill their responsibilities in the field and come home safely. Over the years, defense cuts and high overseas operations tempos have forced difficult choices across the service branches and led to critically diminished readiness levels. This legislation makes headway in restoring full-spectrum readiness and helps solidify our military’s overwhelming superiority.”

As Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, Wittman has been a staunch advocate for the men and women serving in our military, fighting for a strong defense funding level that will help address substantial readiness shortfalls.

The following list includes some of the provisions Wittman supported that were included in the NDAA as approved by the full committee:

Opposes BRAC Round: The bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from implementing another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in the absence of an accurate end-strength assessment.

Supports Shipbuilding: The authorization provides a much needed boost to our nation’s shipbuilding budget and continues critical Hampton Roads work to overhaul aircraft carriers and build attack submarines. Additionally, this bill continues to prepare a funding mechanism for the Ohio Class Replacement Program. Finally, it supports the critical need for increased Marine Corps rapid response capability by advancing the next generation of amphibious warships.

Increases Military Construction: The authorization provides increased funding for military construction including $75.5 million for improvements at Quantico, $59 million for Joint Base Langley-Eustis, $27 million for projects in Norfolk, and $12 million for transit facilities at the Pentagon.

Increases Army/Marine Corps Troop Levels: Opposes the Administration’s proposal to reduce overall end strength and draw down our forces to levels well below the numbers required to defend America and counter aggressive powers abroad.

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.