WASHINGTON, DC – U.S.Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today praised the U.S. House of Representatives on passing H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The bill provides funding for our nation’s military, including $612 billion in base budget national defense funding and Overseas Contingency Operations accounts.

“I applaud the House for standing with our nation’s military and passing the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Congressman Austin Scott.  “Our nation’s security should not be a partisan issue. This vital legislation provides resources for our nation’s warfighters and recognizes the need for long-lasting reforms while also ensuring that our military is better prepared for the challenges we face.  

“I am pleased that the NDAA included the two bipartisan amendments I introduced focusing on protecting our military depots, including Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, and adding small business protections for pharmacies associated with TRICARE.

Now, I urge the Senate to act on this important legislation to give our defense leaders some certainty going into next year.  I am proud to represent Robins Air Force Base and Moody Air Force Base in Congress, and I will continue to push for new missions for our bases,” said the Georgia Congressman, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Congressman Scott, who serves on the Readiness and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee, represents Robins and Moody Air Force Bases.

The Congressman offered two bipartisan amendments, both of which were adopted and included in the final passage of the NDAA.  The first amendment helps to protect our military depots, including Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, by clarifying that no change to the process for making commercial item determinations conflicts with the requirements in current law, thereby ensuring sufficient workload is directed to military depots.  The second amendment adds small business protections for pharmacies under a pilot program for the TRICARE pharmacy benefit program.

The NDAA prohibits the A-10 retirement and preserves the fleet by including $442 million for Operations and Maintenance as well as man power.  Also included is $240 million for additional wing replacement for the A-10s, the construction of which takes place in Macon, GA.  Moody Air Force Base will also receive $10.9 million for Military Construction, specifically for pump house and fill stand replacement.

Congressman Scott voted in favor of several amendments to protect defense civilian workers including those who work at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base.  The NDAA includes funding for the current E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) fleet, which are flown out of Robins, and $44.3 million for the NextGen JSTARS Recapitalization. 

The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide $715 million in FY16 in assistance to the military and other security forces to fight against ISIS.  The NDAA also prohibits furloughs at depots, rejects a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) for FY2016, and rejects cuts to commissaries.

To read more about the FY2016 NDAA, please click here.

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