Webster Votes to Rebuild & Restore Military Readiness

Washington, DC – Florida Congressman Daniel Webster (R-Clermont) today released the following statement after voting to pass the National Defense Authorization Act conference report.  This is the earliest Congress has passed this vital legislation in 40 years.

“The U.S. Constitution states that providing for the ‘common defense’ is one of our fundamental responsibilities. With Republican majorities and President Trump in the White House, we are focused on recovering from our readiness crisis and rebuilding our troops.

“Our freedom, our families, and our way of life would not exist were it not for our military.  This bill is another step in the right direction to provide them the training and resources they need to be the world’s finest fighting force.

“We owe our military a debt we can never repay.”

The Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act conference report implements new reforms designed to speed decision making and improve military agility. It also restores readiness and increasing capability and capacity in a force that has been asked to do too much with too little for too long. The NDAA report authorizes:

• Funding to rebuild our military and support readiness recovery:
• 2.6% pay raise for our Servicemembers, which is the highest increase in nine years.
• Special pay and bonuses for those in high demand fields.
• The Air Force to evaluate all pilot staff requirements to maximize the time pilots spend in the cockpit and minimize their administrative responsibilities.
• Substantial improvements to the transition assistance program designed to provide training tailored to Servicemembers’ post-separation plans.
• No military medical treatment facility will be closed or downgraded until after all these facilities are transitioned to the Defense Health Agency.
• A comprehensive review of both wounded warrior care and mental health services to ensure service members receive the best possible treatment.

• $17.7 billion to begin to rehabilitate and replace worn out Army equipment;
• $40.8 billion to begin to overcome the crisis in military aviation by getting more aircraft in the air;
• $36.3 billion to restore America’s strength at sea;
• $23.5 billion to sustain, repair and rebuild crumbling military buildings and other infrastructure.
• Additional funds for training in each of the Services.

Click here for more information on the 2019 NDAA.

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