WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate Armed Service Committee on Thursday voted 25-1 to advance the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  The NDAA authorizes $514 billion to help maintain a strong, flexible military while providing critical support for U.S. troops and their families. The bipartisan agreement includes a number of key provisions that were sponsored by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior member of the Committee, and recognizes the increasing strategic importance Rhode Island plays in our national defense.

As the Chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, Reed authored key sections of the NDAA designed to strengthen our nation's naval readiness and boost submarine manufacturing, which is a vital part of Rhode Island’s defense industry.  Reed helped ensure the 2015 Defense Authorization bill includes full funding for the continuation of two Virginia-class submarines, 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 am pleased to have worked closely with Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this defense budget proposal forward and make smart investments in our national security,” said Reed.  “Submarines’ unique capability for stealth, strike capacity, and ability to deliver special forces personnel into difficult environments make them an extremely effective force multiplier and deterrent to our adversaries.  As our strategy focuses more on the Asia Pacific region, it is vital we have a robust submarine fleet.  This legislation authorizes full funding for the continuation of the Virginia-class submarine, a critical component of both our national defense capabilities and the Rhode Island economy.”

A number of Rhode Island-related projects are set to receive federal funding under this bipartisan defense legislation now making its way through the Senate.  The NDAA includes several key provisions backed by Reed:

  • $5.9 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program, including two submarines in 2015, and advance procurement funding for two ships planned in 2016.  The bill supports the ten boat, multi-year contract that the Navy and Electric Boat signed last month.
  • Full funding to continue development of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine replacement, and establishment of a National Sea-based Deterrence Fund to provide resources for ensuring that the Ohio-class replacement program is implemented at the appropriate level of priority assigned to it by the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.
  • Full funding for the continued research and development of the Virginia Payload Module.
  • $801.7 million for a Moored Training Ship.
  • $419.5 million for the DDG-1000 destroyer program.
  • $5 million in Impact Aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities.
  • $35.7 million for the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, which assists small businesses in contracting with DOD.
  • Restores $25 million in funding to STARBASE, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education program.

The NDAA also includes the HAVEN Act, bipartisan legislation that Reed introduced last year to create a competitive pilot program allowing non-profit organizations to apply for grants administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help make home repairs and improvements for disabled or low-income veterans.  The work would include simple repairs to help keep veterans safe, such as repairing roofs, floors, walls, electrical wiring, and plumbing; replacing leaky or damaged doors and windows; and installing wheelchair ramps and widening doorways and passageways.  In order to extend the reach of this federal funding, grant recipients would be expected to either match federal funding or make in-kind contributions, such as through encouraging volunteers to help make repairs or engaging businesses to donate needed supplies.

Other key provisions Reed supported in the NDAA include:

Sexual Assault Reform: Further improves DOD’s programs to prevent sexual assaults, assist victims, and more strongly punish offenders.  The bill includes several provisions from the Victims Protection Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 97-0 in March.

Pay Raise for Service Members: Authorizes a 1 percent across-the-board pay raise for all members of the uniformed services, consistent with the President’s request.

Path to closing Guantanamo: The bill provides a path to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay by authorizing the transfer of detainees to the United States, subject to a congressional vote on a joint resolution of disapproval.

Now that the NDAA has been approved by the Armed Services Committee, it must be debated and voted on by the full Senate.  The bill must then be reconciled with the version that was passed by the full U.S. House of Representatives this week before it can be signed into law.

 -end-