Rounds Statement on Committee Passage of Annual Defense Authorization Bill
Includes a Number of Provisions Authored by Rounds
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chairman of the Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, today issued the following statement on the committee passage of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019. It includes a number of Rounds’ provisions. The committee voted 25-2 to send the bill to the full Senate floor for consideration.
“The NDAA is one of the most important pieces of legislation we pass each year, as it provides our military personnel with the tools they need to complete their missions and keep us safe,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased that this year’s NDAA includes a number of provisions I offered pertaining to cold spray repair technology, developed in Rapid City, to improve Department of Defense (DoD) repair processes, as well as additional measures to improve officer personnel management, transition of service members to civilian life, training ranges and high level maintenance. Additionally, it includes a provision that will allow the DoD to conduct covert cyber operations necessary to help keep Americans safe. This year’s NDAA was named for the first time in honor of SASC Chairman John McCain, an American hero and statesman who has always put the good of the country first.”
The NDAA authorizes $716 billion in defense spending, prohibits a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round and provides a 2.6 percent pay raise to military members. A summary of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act can be found here.
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