WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate on an 85-13 vote:
“In light of the very real threats we face from ISIS and other terrorists, we must ensure our troops around the world have the right tools to defend our country. The National Defense Authorization Act will strengthen our military and provide our service men and women with these resources,” said Senator Capito.
“This bipartisan bill is good for our troops, their families and national security, and it supports the more than 6,000 members of the West Virginia National Guard. I am hopeful that a final version of this bill will soon reach the president’s desk.”
NDAA Highlights:
- $602 billion defense budget funds equipment and personnel necessary to fight terrorism and other evolving threats.
- Blocks the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States.
- Supports Wounded Warriors by creating specialized care centers of excellence at major military medical centers, expanding military-civilian trauma training sites, and requiring integrated trauma team training.
- Authorizes a 1.6 percent across-the-board pay raise for uniformed service members.
- Reauthorizes more than 30 types of bonuses and special pays aimed at encouraging enlistment, reenlistment and continued service by active-duty and reserve military personnel.
- Enhances leave for primary and secondary caregivers in the case of birth and adoption.
- Funds the STARBASE program by up to $25 million, which educates kindergarten through 12th grade students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to encourage careers in these fields.
- Implements a JAG pilot program to improve the handling of military sexual assault trials in military courts-martial.
###
