Washington, D.C. – Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) issued the following statement regarding the passage of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today in the House:

“For 60 consecutive years the House of Representatives has fulfilled its Constitutional responsibility by providing for America’s defense by passing the NDAA. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft comprehensive bi-partisan legislation to authorize the fourth consecutive year of robust funding restoring America’s military readiness. Despite the progress we’ve made in reversing the dangerous decline in our military capabilities, U.S. defense spending remains at historically low levels as a percentage of the American economy. Meanwhile, authoritarian states like China and Russia continue their robust military modernization programs and have adopted aggressive foreign policies that threaten our values, our vital national interests, the security of our allies, and the rules-based international order.”

To deter this aggression and reduce the likelihood of conflict, H.R. 6395 reflects Rep. Bacon’s inputs and priorities including: 

• Authorizes $740.5 billion for national defense programs as requested by the President and consistent with the bipartisan budget agreement. 
• Provides our troops a three percent pay raise and supports their families with the pay and benefits they deserve.
• Mandates implementation of the “Safe to Report” policy for sexual assault victims, requires a review of DoD procedures for investigating missing persons within the military, and establishes a confidential reporting channel for sexual harassment allegations.
• Modernizes America’s nuclear deterrent by fully funding the B-21, Columbia-Class submarine, and Ground Based Strategic Deterrent replacement programs.
• Provides robust funding for defense research for advanced weapon systems and capabilities like hypersonic propulsion, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and directed energy.
• Establishes the Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative to support our allies and deter China.
• Continues to fund the European Deterrence Initiative to support our allies and counter Russian aggression.
• Provides the Department of Defense with the resources necessary to address COVID-19, including PPE, testing capabilities, diagnostic testing, and developing robust public-private partnership for medical surge capacity. 

“I look forward to starting negotiations with the Senate and to sending this legislation to the President’s desk later this year,” added Rep. Bacon.

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