Hice Applauds President Trump on Restoring Military Readiness

Press Release

Representative Jody Hice today applauded the President's signing of the Conference Report of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018 into law. The NDAA authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Defense, establishes our national security priorities for the next fiscal year, and provides crucial resources for servicemembers and their families.

"After too many years of inadequate funding, outdated equipment, and readiness shortfalls, this NDAA supports increasing defense spending and prioritizes the safety and security of the American people," said Congressman Hice. "Our top priority is and has always been to keep America safe. The policies within the FY'18 NDAA achieve the goal of countering threats from rogue nations like North Korea, support cyber operations at the U.S. Army's Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon in Augusta, and provide our troops with a well-earned 2.4% pay raise. I'm very proud of the work on this legislation by Chairman Thornberry and members of the House Armed Services Committee, and I applaud President Trump's leadership in strengthening our national security as we work to modernize the Department of Defense."

Hice spoke in opposition to an amendment offered by Representative Jared Polis (D-CO), which would mandate a one percent reduction in defense spending, except for personnel and health accounts.

Hice also delivered remarks in favor of amendments offered by Representatives Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Robert Pittenger (R-NC), which would prohibit the U.S. Department of Defense from contracting with telecommunication companies found to be complicit with North Korean cyberattacks or any Chinese company found to be providing support for the North Korean regime. Additionally, Hice praised an amendment offered by Representative Mike Bishop (R-MI), which calls upon President Trump to encourage our NATO allies to fulfill their commitments and recognize those allies that currently meet them.

Specifically, the bill:

Authorizes $696.1 billion in base level funding;
Provides a 2.4% pay raise to our men and women in uniform;
Sets $203.5 million for military construction projects in Georgia at Fort Benning in Columbus, Fort Gordon in Augusta, Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, and Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany;
Funds a recapitalization of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) and the acquisition of 87 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and 20 C-130Js, both of which are assembled in Marietta, Georgia at a facility adjacent to Dobbins Air Reserve Base;
Allocates $8 billion to cyber operations, including the U.S. Army's Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia;
Increases missile defense funding by $2.5 billion to help ensure we can protect the homeland from threats posed by advanced, long-range missiles;
Maintains restrictions against transferring detainees from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the United States; and
Approves requests from the Army, Navy, and Air Force for additional personnel.

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