WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, H.R. 2810), which provides for our troops, funds our military, and includes a vital amendment introduced by Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09).
SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS:
· Full 2.4% pay raise for our troops, their largest pay raise in eight years.
· Permanent extension of Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance, which provides monthly payments to support more than 60,000 Americans whose spouses died on active duty or during retirement.
MILITARY READINESS:
· $26.4 billion to restore America’s military readiness, which fell to pre-World War II levels under the previous Administration.
· Adds 20,300 active duty, guard, and reserve personnel to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
· Major reforms to Pentagon buying practices to save taxpayer money.
PITTENGER AMENDMENT ON NORTH KOREA:
· Prohibits telecom companies that provide material support for North Korean cyberattacks from contracting with the U.S. Defense Department.
· Originally approved by a unanimous vote on July 14th, this vital amendment was included in the final House-Senate conference version of the NDAA.
“For far too long, China has enabled North Korea to pursue nuclear development, global provocation, and egregious human rights violations. My amendment punishes Chinese firms that support North Korea by prohibiting them from obtaining lucrative Defense contracts,” said Congressman Pittenger. “At the same time, I am grateful for the strong bipartisan effort that led to the largest troop pay raise in eight years. The brave men and women of our Armed Forces volunteer to risk their lives in our defense. We can never fully repay their sacrifice, but we will provide adequate pay and full support for families left behind.”
The FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810), including Congressman Pittenger’s crackdown on North Korea, today passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 356-70. The legislation now heads to President Trump to be signed into law.
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