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National Defense Authorization Act

Rutherford Statement on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

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Bipartisan FY2019 NDAA makes critical investments
in our national security, Northeast Florida

Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 351-66. The bill now heads to the Senate for debate and passage. Upon passage, Congressman Rutherford stated:

“The House has delivered on our promise to reinvest in our military, which has suffered from insufficient resources and budget uncertainty,” said Rutherford. “This bill responds directly to the deficient readiness levels of our armed forces, while also increasing capability and investments. The bill includes the largest pay increase for our troops in nine years, grows the size of our forces to suit our military needs, counters global threats like Iran, and reforms the Pentagon bureaucracy

“I am especially proud to see the bill included many major wins for Northeast Florida. This includes $111 million for military construction at Naval Station Mayport, three Littoral Combat Ships, as well as strong support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, P-8A Poseidon, A-29, and MQ-4C Triton.  It also reflects Congress’s commitment to the ship building and repair industry, which is critical to the First Coast economy. I was proud to fight for these programs, and I will continue to do so as we consider the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bills.  At a time when America is beginning to lead again, few things are more important than ensuring that our men and women in uniform are well taken care of and ready for any challenge they may face during training at home and deployment abroad.”

Highlights of the FY 2019 NDAA are as follows:

  • Pay Raise of 2.6% for our troops – largest in nine years
  • Increases the size of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Naval and Air Reserve, as well as Air Guard
  • Makes major reforms in Pentagon bureaucracy & streamlines buying practices
  • Increases funding to rebuild our military & support readiness recovery
  • Makes critical investments in missile defense and our nuclear deterrent, which is the cornerstone of our national security
  • Makes key investments in other critical military capabilities to confront aggression & address threats around the world, including threats from Russia, China, North Korea, & Iran
  • Authorizes funding for co-development and co-production of missile defense and weapons systems with our key ally Israel
  • Advances innovative technologies that will reform the way we will fight and win wars

Source: House Armed Services Committee

Mast-Gottheimer US-Israel Joint Missile Defense Act Passes House in NDAA

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Bipartisan Measure will Further Develop Arrow 3 Missile Defense System

Congressmen Brian Mast (FL-18) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5)’s bipartisan U.S.-Israel Joint Missile Defense Act to further develop the Arrow 3 missile defense system today passed the House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Their bill to authorize the Secretary of Defense to conduct a test of the exoatmospheric anti-ballistic missile defense program was incorporated into the broader defense bill and passed the House on a bipartisan basis.
“I chose to volunteer alongside the Israeli Defense Forces because there is undoubtedly a benefit in our two countries working together to spread the values of freedom and democracy,” Rep. Mast said. “Collaborating on security through missile defense is critical to stability not just in the Middle East, but also throughout the world. Getting our bipartisan bill passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act is a big win in the fight against terror.”
“We must do everything possible to stop terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas,” Rep. Gottheimer said. “The bipartisan bill passed today will further key missile defense systems to protect Israel, our key ally in the region and buttress America’s fight against terror in the Middle East.”
The grave threat of missile attacks on Israel has been growing in both capacity and strength. Last year, Iran successfully launched two “Qadr II” ballistic missiles at a target in southeastern Iran approximately 870 miles away, in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. The missiles were inscribed with the slogan, “Israel should be wiped off the Earth.” Hezbollah, designated by the Department of State as a terrorist organization, has an arsenal of approximately 120,000 to 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Mast followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years. Following his service, Rep. Mast volunteered to serve alongside the Israel Defense Forces to show support for the freedom Israel represents throughout the Middle East and the world.