Graves Issues Statement as House Passes NDAA Conference Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after the House approved the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Graves, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the conference report this afternoon.
"After months of work shaping national defense policy, I am glad to see the House take this important step today," said Rep. Graves. "Providing the resources for a strong military is a critical responsibility of the federal government, but ensuring our military men and women are treated and compensated fairly is just as important. This bill does just that."
Graves' amendment to preserve the C-130H aircraft fleet was included in the conference report passed by the House today. Graves represents the Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph. Air National Guard units rely on C-130s to provide tactical airlift support and surveillance.
BACKGROUND: President Obama has issued a veto report for the conference report, which is a compromise of bills passed by the House and Senate earlier this year. NDAA authorizes national defense programs operated by various federal agencies. Specific funding levels for defense programs are allocated in separate appropriations bills.
Since it was first passed over 50 years ago, the NDAA has only been vetoed four times. If the President makes good on his threat, this will be the first time that the Commander-in-Chief has used a bill that provides pay and benefits for our troops as leverage for a larger domestic agenda.
The bill passed by the House today includes new retirement benefits for 83 percent of U.S. troops, greater protections against instances of sexual assault in the military, and added capabilities to confront and weaken Iran's growing influence in the Middle East.