This week the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense bill that authorizes funding and sets priorities for our nation’s military. While the bill is not perfect, it authorizes a boost to overall defense spending, a pay raise for our troops, and vital funding for Georgia’s 12th District, including for Fort Gordon and the Savannah River Site.
Additionally, this bill authorizes $250 million to conduct critical counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan, including requiring the Department of Defense to submit a plan to Congress on how it will support the evacuation of American citizens, maintain air superiority, and run intelligence and surveillance missions. Further, the bill includes strong provisions to counter our adversaries like Russia, China and Iran.
The House and Senate will now go to a Conference Committee to resolve bicameral differences in the two versions of the bill, and a vote on the final Conference Report is expected later this year. I will keep you updated as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.