Rep. Ratcliffe Votes to Strengthen National Defense and Support Veterans

Press Release

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) voted this week in favor of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to boost support for America's military and to enhance national defense capabilities. The legislation authorizes the $602.2 billion in funding necessary to restore adequate readiness for our armed forces, protect our homeland from rapidly evolving threats and provide our troops with the resources they need to be successful.

"The Constitution makes it abundantly clear that providing for the common defense it not a suggestion," Ratcliffe said.

"It is one of the primary duties of the federal government -- and as former terrorism prosecutor, I'm committed to ensuring that we fulfill this vital obligation. Our men in women in harm's way deserve nothing less."

Specifically, the 2017 NDAA included the following notable provisions:

Increases pay for service members by 2.1 percent and bars the president from blocking this raise
Prevents Guantanamo Bay detainee transfers to the United States
Combats terrorism and radical Islamist extremists
Reverses the drawdown on troop numbers
Strengthens support for Israel with funds for Israeli cooperative missile defense including the Iron Dome
Prioritizes cyber defense capabilities
Clarifies and affirms protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government.

In addition to the NDAA, Ratcliffe voted for the House-passed Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4974) this week, which contained $81.6 billion in support of veterans' benefits and programs, as well as military housing and bases in the U.S. and around the world.

"I'm proud to represent 63,000 veterans in Texas' Fourth District, and the legislation passed this week will help guarantee they receive the care and respect the most certainly have earned," Ratcliffe said.

Ratcliffe also added an amendment to this bill -- which was adopted -- to prevent funds from being used for another round of base realignment and closure (BRAC) at the Red River Army Depot. This measure will protect more than 5,000 jobs in the region that provide critical readiness capabilities to the Army.

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