WASHINGTON, DC – Following months of hearings and bipartisan negotiations, the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week.  The $612 billion defense authorization seeks to maintain a strong, flexible military while providing critical support for U.S. troops and their families, as well as funding for the Navy’s modernization efforts, ongoing operations in Afghanistan, countering ISIL, strengthening our cybersecurity defenses, and preparing for evolving and emerging threats around the globe. 

The NDAA includes a number of key provisions that were championed by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Committee, and recognizes the strategic importance Rhode Island plays in our national defense.

As the committee’s Ranking Member, Reed authored key sections of the NDAA designed to strengthen our naval readiness and boost submarine manufacturing, which is a vital part of Rhode Island’s defense industry.  Reed helped ensure the 2016 Defense Authorization bill continues the construction of two Virginia-class submarines per year, which is critical given the cost savings achieved, the efficiencies gained in the production schedule, and the projected shortfall in attack submarines over the next decade.

“I want to thank the Committee’s outstanding ranking member, Senator Jack Reed,” said Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ). “It was a pleasure to work with Jack on a bipartisan basis throughout the markup process. We worked through hundreds of amendments and some of the toughest issues confronting our military today. This is a better bill because of my friend, Jack Reed. I look forward to working together with my colleagues in the Senate, Chairman Thornberry, and Ranking Member Smith in the House to produce a defense authorization worthy of their service and sacrifice.”

“I commend Chairman McCain for his leadership on this bill,” Senator Reed said. “Thanks to Chairman McCain, there are many good provisions and needed reforms in the bill and we made significant headway in several areas.  While we were unable to agree on the critical budget piece, the bill is a step toward providing resources for our men and women in uniform.  I look forward to working with Chairman McCain and our counterparts in the House to find a responsible way forward,” said Senator Reed.

Reed noted that the NDAA contains important investments in maintaining a strong military and addressing future national security challenges, with an emphasis on readiness and preparing for emerging threats around the globe.  The bill seeks to better align American military strategy to available resources.

A number of Rhode Island-related projects and priorities are included in this bipartisan defense legislation now set to be considered by the Senate, such as:

  • $6.1 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program, including advance procurement for two ships planned in 2017.  The bill supports the ten boat, multi-year contract that the Navy and Electric Boat signed in April 2014.
  • $506.6 million for the Navy’s basic research program, $55 million more than the President’s budget request
  • $433.4 million for the DDG-1000 destroyer program
  • $142.3 million to accelerate undersea warfare applied research, an increase of $18.6 million over the President’s budget request
  • $98.16 million to accelerate unmanned underwater vehicle development, $11 million more than the President requested
  • $60.2 million to accelerate submarine combat and weapons system modernization, $12 million more than the President’s budget request
  • $20 million for the procurement of 8 additional towed array sensor systems, a priority for the Navy
  • $5 million in Impact Aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities
  • Reauthorization of the Rapid Innovation Fund for 5 years and the National Guard State Partnership Program for 2 years
  • Establishment of an expedited approval process for scientists and engineers to attend scientific conferences in support of activities at national labs, a priority for Newport’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)

The NDAA bill also reflects other key priorities backed by Senator Reed to sustain and improve the quality of life for our men and women in uniform and their families.  The bill seeks a 1.3% across-the-board pay raise for service members; authorizes $32.2 billion for the Defense Health Program; authorizes $15 million in increased funding to improve access to care for military beneficiaries under the TRICARE program; authorizes $85 million for the enhanced financial literacy training recommended by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission; and requires the Department of Defense to ensure that primary care and mental health care providers receive evidence-based training on recognition, assessment, and management of individuals at risk for suicide.

In addition, the bill aims to improve handling of military sexual assault crimes by enhancing confidential reporting options for victims of sexual assault by exempting sexual assault response personnel from mandatory reporting requirements under state law, and expanding the authority of the Special Victims’ Counsel to provide services to victims of sexual assault.

The full U.S. Senate is expected to begin debate on the bill in the coming weeks. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 269-151 to pass its version of the NDAA bill today. 

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