WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today joined the House Armed Services Committee in approving H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Congressman Scott, who serves on the Readiness and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees, represents Robins and Moody Air Force Bases.

The bill provides funding for our nation’s military, including $604.2 billion in base budget national defense funding and Overseas Contingency Operations accounts.

“The House Armed Services Committee came together to produce a bipartisan bill that not only focuses on the long-term threats to our national security, but also adequately provides for the current fights we are engaged in,” said Congressman Austin Scott.  “The Committee had a goal of implementing some lasting reforms to ensure that our military is better prepared for the challenges we face.  Part of facing these challenges, which includes growing terrorist threats in the Middle East and instability in many areas of the globe, is ensuring that our military has the very best training and weapons systems for the fight.  I am grateful that members of this committee recognized that the A-10C Warthog, which is flown out of Moody Air Force Base, continues to provide the important close air support capability that is essential to our nation’s defense by preventing their retirement and investing in operations and maintenance for the fleet.

“This bill also invests in the future replacement of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), which are flown out of Robins Air Force Base.  I am proud to serve as a voice for Robins and Moody on the committee, and I applaud the committee for their focus on supporting and protecting our service men and women and their families.”

The legislation also prohibits furloughs at depots, rejects a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) for FY2016, and rejects cuts to commissaries.

The NDAA is expected to be considered by the full House in May.  To read more about the FY2016 NDAA, please click here.