Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-3) today voted to pass the FY 2018 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:

“After the previous presidential administration left our military underfunded and stagnant, it is more important now than ever that we strengthen our investment in defense to support the men and women who protect our country and its interests. This year’s defense spending bill builds on President Trump’s commitment to rebuild our military by increasing troop pay by 2.4 percent and boosting the number of active duty personnel in the Army, Navy, and Air Force by over 18,000 troops.

“In addition to increasing funding for our nation’s missile defense program, this bill also features a number of projects to support new technologies such as the KC-46A tanker. Altus Air Force Base will be tasked with training for these next generation aircraft, which are critical to extending the mobility and reach of our military across the globe.

“The progress we have made to rebuild and modernize our country’s defense will help keep America safe and project a message of strength abroad.”

H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, provides for $695.9 billion in defense funding.