House Passes National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Congressman Roger Marshall released the following statement regarding the House's passage of the National Defense Authorization Act:

"Our military men and women face more threats today than ever before. Time and time again, Members of Congress have failed in equipping and supplying them to meet the multi-faceted threats that face our country. I am glad that we took a large step in rectifying that today.

This fall, the Dagger brigade, stationed at Fort Riley, will travel to Europe for a nine-month deployment, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. This legislation helps ensure readiness for Brigade Combat Teams, such as the Dagger brigade, and gives our troops a much deserved 2.4% military pay raise. It also allows for over 17,000 more Army personnel, and allocates $2.3 billion over the Administration's request for necessary maintenance and repair.

I am particularly pleased that - on a bipartisan basis - we were able to defeat an amendment that would have allowed for a costly and ill-advised Base Realignment and Closure round.

I refuse to send our troops to a gun fight with knives. This legislation helps with that, and I'm proud to have voted in favor of it."

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