Rounds Statement on NDAA Being Signed into Law
Includes 8 of Rounds’ provisions
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued a statement after President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018 into law. The NDAA includes 8 provisions authored by Rounds.
“The NDAA is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we pass each year,” said Rounds. “It authorizes funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) so our armed forces are able to successfully carry out their missions. The NDAA authorizes nearly $700 billion for defense programs, and specifies where funds should be spent once the defense appropriations bill is passed. I’m pleased that eight of my provisions were included in the NDAA this year.”
Rounds’ provisions included in the NDAA:
- Requirement for a comprehensive plan for sharing depot-level maintenance best practices.
- Requirement for statutorily-mandated caregiver counseling for service members pending separation from the DOD.
- Requirement for expedited evaluation and treatment for prenatal surgery under the TRICARE program.
- Required report on what acquisition authorities afforded the armed services should also be afforded to U.S. Special Operations Command.
- Expanded role for the service chiefs in decisions regarding acquisition programs for new weapons.
- A resolution on the use of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program and DOD Information Technology Exchange Program to hire personnel with cyber skills and abilities for the DOD.
- Requirement for a report on progress made in implementing the Cyber Excepted Personnel System.
- Authority for military officers to opt-out of promotion board consideration.
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