National Defense Authorization Act advances with provisions introduced by Scott

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) joined the House Armed Services Committee in approving H.R. 1960, the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions he introduced during Wednesday’s Committee markup.

Rep. Scott, who serves on the Readiness, Military Personnel, and Oversight Subcommittees, represents Robins and Moody Air Force Bases.

The Early Autism Diagnosis and Intervention amendment introduced by Rep. Scott is designed to guarantee that military families have early diagnosis capabilities and specifically directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that rural and underserved communities are given sufficient priority. 

H.R. 1960 also increases Operations and Management funding, which will help readiness and boost aircraft maintenance and flying hours.

The NDAA also prohibits the Department of Defense from proposing, planning or initiating another round of BRAC base closures at the expense of long term strategic assets.

Highlights of the NDAA include:

• The bill authorizes funding for both the defense base budget and Overseas Contingency Operations budget.
• Prohibits a BRAC.
• Prevents the transfer of detainees at Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.
• Maintains the military personnel pay raise at the 1.8% increase under current law.
• Does not include the TRICARE cuts proposed by President Obama.
• Provides funding for East Coast Missile Defense.

The NDAA passed by a vote of 59-2. A summary of the bill can be found here. The NDAA is expected to be considered by the full House next week.

A statement from Rep. Scott on the passage of the NDAA can be viewed online here, and remarks as prepared are also included below:

“This morning, at about 2:15 a.m., we finished the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. In it we continued to prohibit the President from having the authority to transfer the terrorist prisoners from Guantanamo Bay back to the United States. We also restored the funding for TRICARE, and we put money back into Operation and Maintenance, which is good for our depots in Robins Air Force Base and training which certainly will help with Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta.

“There was also a proposal last night to put BRAC into the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. It failed by better than a two-to-one margin, with both Democrats and Republicans voting against it. I expect some will continue to push for BRAC, and I will continue to fight against it, and I expect we will win on this issue.”

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