Courtney Statement on Vote for the Defense Authorization Bill

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement on his vote to pass the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was approved by a vote 269 to 151:

“The 2016 NDAA was the product of a thoughtful bipartisan process in the House Armed Services Committee—a rarity in Congress these days. Although the bill passed today in the House is far from perfect, I stand by the debate and compromise that Committee members worked through to craft a bill that invests in our military personnel and their families, shipbuilding, and aircraft construction priorities. I am particularly proud to have worked on many portions of this bill that are critical for eastern Connecticut, including continued investment in our submarine industrial base.

“I disagree, however, with the Overseas Contingency Operations Account budget gimmick that House Republican leaders are deploying, and strongly opposed the budget resolution that enacted it. Time and again I have voted to reject the careless and irresponsible policy of sequestration that is harming our nation’s ability to make investments integral to families, our economy, and our national security. But the alternative—to oppose this critical policy bill and abide the restrictive budget caps on this measure that will prevent critical investments in military assets—was not an approach I could support.

“I continue to call for balanced and bipartisan compromise to address the continued threat that sequestration poses to the entirety of our budget, not just defense. Congress must act swiftly to eliminate this threat.”

Key provisions of the NDAA include:

Submarine Development and Construction

• Virginia Class Submarines -- $5.3 billion for Virginia class submarine construction, including $3.3 billion for two submarines in 2016 and $2 billion for advanced procurement of additional submarines in 2017 and beyond.

• Virginia Payload Module -- $168 million for the development of the Virginia Payload Module, which is being developed to replace the undersea strike capabilities lost when the SSGNs retire in the 2020s. Report includes language noting the committee’s concern with the Navy’s plan, as submitted in the 2016 budget request, to incorporate the module into new submarines at a rate of one a year starting in 2019. This rate would meet only two-thirds of the validated need for the module and the capabilities it adds to future Virginia class submarines, and the language urges the Navy to fully incorporate VPM into boats within Block V and beyond.

• Ohio Replacement Submarine - $1.4 billion for continued research and development of the Ohio Replacement Program, and directs these funds into the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund. The bill also expands the range of tools available for developing and building the submarine, including incremental funding and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) authorities, and clarifies that reprogramming authority provided in the creation of the fund last year extends to the entire Defense Department, not just the Navy. Courtney worked successfully on the House floor to defeat an amendment that would have removed funding from the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund, by a vote of 375 to 43.

Aircraft & Helicopter Development and Procurement

• F-35 Joint Strike Fighter -- $12.2 billion for continued development and procurement of 63 F-35 aircraft (44 Air Force F-35A, 15 Marine F-35B, 4 Navy F-35C).

• Blackhawks -- Authorizes $1.56 billion for 102 M-model aircraft for Army and National Guard (increase of 8 from PB), and $55 million for 48 aircraft (increase of 8 from budget), and authorizes $970 million for 29 Navy MH-60R’s.

• Combat Rescue Helicopter -- Authorizes $156 million for continued development of the Combat Rescue Helicopter.

• CH-53K -- Authorizes $46.9 million to fund the continuing development of the new heavy lift helicopter, as well as the advance procurement for the first two aircraft planned for FY 2017.

• VH-92A Presidential Helicopter -- Authorizes $507 million for development of the new Presidential Helicopter.

• KC-46A Tanker -- Authorizes $2.3 billion for KC-46As ($224 million less than requested in FY16 PB), and continues the development efforts of a militarized variant of the Boeing 767-2C aircraft. Continues the second year of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), procuring 12 aircraft in FY 2016.

Connecticut National guard

• $11 million for a new Ready Building at Camp Hartell, Windsor Locks -- The mark authorizes $11 million for a new Ready Building at Camp Hartell in Windsor Locks which will build a new facility the 14th Civil Support Team, a team of first responders critical in the event of a suspected or actual nuclear, biological, high explosive or chemical attack.

• C-130H Modernization -- During committee debate on the NDAA, Congressman Courtney won support for his amendment to authorize $10 million to allow the Air Force to move forward on its two-phase plan for modernizing the Air National Guard’s C-130H fleet. In addition, the amendment directs the Air Force to look at accelerating the plan to ensure that aircraft are modernized as quickly as possible. The 103rd Airlift Wing at Bradley operates a wing of 8 C-130H aircraft.

Other Notable Provisions

• Military Pay Raise -- authorizes a 2.3 percent across the board pay raise for the military

• Prohibition on BRAC -- The NDAA rejects the administration’s request to conduct a new BRAC round in 2017. Congressman Courtney has supported bipartisan efforts to reject a new BRAC, citing concerns with the 2005 round and lack of updated information about the extent of the current need to reduce excess property.

• Excess Military Equipment -- Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a plan for improved management and oversight of the systems, processes, and controls involved in the disposition of excess non-mission essential equipment and material by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services.

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