Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives in passing the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The compromise legislation between the House and Senate, known as a conference report, sets military policy priorities and determines what types of equipment and weaponry can be purchased. The NDAA is expected to be passed by the Senate shortly and sent to the President’s desk for his signature.

“I’ve long said that government’s first obligation is to protect the safety and security of the American people,” said Bost.  “This legislation is vitally important because it strengthens our military, provides our troops a pay raise, bolsters missile defense, and drives innovation in military technology to secure our global advantage. Also, it continues our bipartisan tradition of supporting the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.”

Among the bill’s key provisions, NDAA:

• Increases base military pay by 2.4 percent;
• Increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard;
• Modernizes our nuclear weapons stockpile, missile defense, and military vehicles;
• Supports a defensive and offensive cyberspace strategy;
• Improves the military health care system; and
• Continues funding and support for U.S. military and intelligence operations abroad, including combatting Russia and defeating ISIS.

 

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