Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas today made the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2015. This is the fifty-third consecutive NDAA, and it is the key mechanism to provide funding for our nation’s military.

“I am very pleased the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act today to provide for the common defense of the United States,” said Lucas. “I commend Chairman McKeon and members of the House Armed Services Committee for their hard work and diligence in preparing the NDAA to meet the constitutional obligation of protecting our great country.

“H.R. 4435 equips our Department of Defense (DoD) with the resources needed to protect American citizens in a constantly changing security environment. It provides our men and women in uniform the tools they need to protect our national security interests domestic and abroad. The NDAA also reaffirms the nuclear deterrence of Iran as a vital national security interest, as well as continues to build upon our longstanding alliance with Israel by investing in their missile defense programs. Further, it prevents the President from using funds to transfer Guantanamo detainees to American soil.

“It is crucial that we always provide adequate resources for our nation’s military, and I am pleased H.R. 4435 accomplishes this important goal. It is my hope this NDAA will be passed in the Senate and signed into law by President Obama.”

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