Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) released a statement following passage of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“This year’s NDAA provides critical investments, reforms, and advancements for our military forces. More than $117 billion of increased funding in this bill will provide resources needed to repair and replace equipment, improve training, and restore critical infrastructure.  I am glad to have helped craft this bill which includes many of my priorities that support our servicemembers and improve our air, land, sea, space, and cyber capabilities to deter adversaries and protect our vital interests.  Importantly, our Airmen at Offutt Air Force Base will have better, safer aircraft as this NDAA allocates more than $500 million for fleet-wide upgrades to RC-135, WC-135, and E-4 aircraft which are based at Offutt.  As the former commander of the 55th Wing, I know how important these improvements are, not just for our Airmen but for our nation’s security.”

Rep. Bacon discusses passage of the FY19 NDAA here. 

Many of Rep. Bacon’s legislative priorities were included in H.R. 5515, including language from eight of his bills:

·        H.R. 3897, the Gold Star Family Support and Installation Access Act of 2017

·        H.R. 5522, Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Readiness Act of 2018

·        H.R. 5553, the Loya-Sears Warrior Transition Assistance Reform Act of 2018

·        H.R. 5680, the Taiwan Defense Assessment Commission Act of 2018

·        H.R. 4754, the Change Order Transparency for Federal Contractors Act

·        H.R. 5528, the Speed Warrior Outcomes, Research, Detection and Diagnosis (SWORDD) Act of 2018

·        H.R. 5482, the Military Biodefense Readiness and Protection Act of 2018

·        H.R. 1383, Recognizing Officers and Enlisted Men of the Korean Constabulary

H.R. 5515 also includes additional amendments offered by Rep. Bacon that:

• Require DoD to study and report on options to consolidate its retail sales activities (military commissaries and exchanges) while preserving benefits for servicemembers and military families.
• Require DoD to limit the use of Russian energy in a new medical center being built in Germany.
• Require DoD to report on the operational viability of OC-135 Open Skies Treaty observation aircraft.  The Offutt-based OC-135 aircraft first entered service in 1961 and are now in their 57th year of operation.
• Require DoD to provide public updates on China’s provocative actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Require the Secretary of Defense to modify the Department of Defense Annual Reports for China, Russia and Iran to include influence operations as a matter to be included in such reports.