Rounds Statement on Committee Passage of Annual Defense Bill

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today issued the following statement on the committee’s approval of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018. During debate, 277 amendments - offered by both Republican and Democrats - were considered, many of which were adopted. The committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the full Senate floor for consideration.

“This year’s NDAA takes important steps to rebuild our military and adequately address the challenges our military leaders have laid out before us in committee hearings,” said Rounds. “The NDAA is one of the most important bills we pass each year in Congress, and it is one of the rare instances in which we truly check our party ID at the door to put the defense of our nation, our troops and their families before all else. As we head into the Fourth of July holiday to celebrate our freedoms which are defended by those who serve in the armed forces, we are sending a strong message that national defense remains a top priority for members of both parties.” 

The NDAA includes a number of Rounds’ provisions, including measures that help caregivers of severely wounded veterans and unborn babies with fetal anomalies.  Additionally, Rounds successfully gained adoption of measures to improve DoD management and professional development for officers.

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