Press Releases

HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE APPROVES NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018

WASHINGTON - The House Armed Services Committee approved H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018 by a vote of 60-1. The legislation authorizes the funds and the policies necessary to provide for the common defense. The NDAA provides for our troops, their families, and establishes national defense policy.

"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I remain committed to strengthening our national defense capabilities which is the only way to keep America safe," Rep. Kelly said. "This legislation supports soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines across our state, this nation, and around the world. Mississippians not only support our nation through military service, but also through our defense manufacturing workforce."

Highlights of the NDAA for FY18:
• Fully funds the 2.4% pay raise for troops
• Additional funds for Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force operation and maintenance
• Establishes the policy of the United States to have a 355 ship Navy
• Authorizes increased end strength of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard
• Does not provide for an additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round

In addition to Representative Kelly's contributions to the underlying bill and during the amendment process, the Kelly amendment related to undergraduate pilot training was adopted. "Due to training demands, existing undergraduate pilot training facilities are reaching capacity, and the Air Force is utilizing nearby civilian airfields to meet operational flight requirements," Kelly said. "My amendment directs the Secretary of the Air Force to brief the committee on how current undergraduate pilot training activities can be maximized with the use of civilian airfields and the feasibility of increasing the use of these facilities to expand undergraduate pilot training."

The NDAA for FY18 now awaits further consideration by the House of Representatives.
To read more about the NDAA for FY18: https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings-and-legislation/ndaa-national-defense-authorization-act

Congressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Agriculture and he is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations for the House Small Business Committee. This is his second term.