Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-3) today voted to pass the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation which funds our nation’s military and sets our defense priorities for the year to come. Lucas released the following statement upon passage of the bill:

“Despite veto threats from President Obama, I believe the House-passed NDAA puts forward the best vision for the future of our military and national security,” said Congressman Lucas. “Whether it’s increasing troop pay or streamlining the acquisition system, this legislation boosts military readiness and ensures our servicemen and women have the tools they need to carry out the mission we ask of them.”

“Like the past five NDAA bills signed into law by President Obama, today’s legislation also contains language prohibiting the closure of Guantanamo Bay and prevents any effort to transfer terrorist combatants to American soil.

“From an Oklahoma perspective, this year’s NDAA is particularly important because it maintains support for the delivery of new KC-46A tankers – the next generation of armored aircraft used to perform aerial refueling procedures. Altus Air Force Base will oversee training on this modern aircraft and Tinker Air Force Base will provide logistics and support.”

H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act, is the 55^th consecutive annual defense policy bill passed by Congress. The legislation increases troop pay by 2.1 percent and reverses the president’s drawdown on military troops by adding 3,000 Marines and 4,000 Airmen to our armed forces. It also builds upon recent military sexual assault reforms by making it easier for victims to report cases and implementing stricter sentences for offenders.