Press Releases

Congressman Drew Ferguson today released the following statement on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2019. This legislation would authorize an increase in funding to support our troops and readiness recovery in line with President Trump’s promise to rebuild and strengthen our military. It would also give our troops their largest pay raise in nine years.

“The first role of the federal government is to provide for the national defense to protect the homeland and keep Americans safe. With this vote, we are continuing President Trump’s work to do just that by rebuilding our military and providing funding for critical military missions around the world. We are also ensuring that our troops get a much-deserved raise.

“As threats continue to develop and change, we must have a modern military that is prepared to meet these challenges. I will always support the men and women of our armed forces and was proud to do so again today.”

Specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act for 2019 would:

• Increase funding to rebuild our military and support readiness recovery.
• Give our troops a pay raise of 2.6%, their largest pay raise in nine years.
• Reform Pentagon bureaucracy and streamline buying practices.
• Support Afghan forces fighting the Taliban and other terrorist organizations, authorize the Counter ISIS Train and Equip fund to support partners and allies combatting ISIS and continue support our counterterrorism mission.
• Modernize our nuclear deterrent and provides necessary funding to support missile defense to counter threats from Iran and North Korea.
• Support Israel’s missile defense and include $500 million for the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow.

With the passage of this bill, the House has advanced yet another piece of major legislation this week through regular order. Earlier in the week, the House passed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (Senate Bill 2155) which would lift the burdens imposed on financial institutions by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act.

The bill passed by a vote of 351-66 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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