Hoyer Statement on House Passage of the Fiscal Year 2018 NDAA Conference Report
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2017
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report:
“This evening I voted for the bipartisan national defense authorization conference report for 2018, which invests in a strong national defense to meet the threats we face around the world. In a positive step, the conference report does not contain some of the problematic provisions that had earlier been in the House-passed version, including not hamstringing the military by codifying President Trump’s ban on transgender service-members.
“I am pleased that the conference report includes the Modernizing Government Technology Act, which I helped author, to upgrade our technology systems to make them more secure, efficient, and effective. I was also proud to work with other House Democrats to ensure that robust, bipartisan support for joint U.S.-Israel defense projects, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow anti-missile systems, is continued. In addition, this legislation recognizes the inherent national security danger from climate change and will increase pay for our troops. I hope Congressional appropriators will match it with an increase of pay at parity for civilian defense employees.
“I want to thank Ranking Member Adam Smith and Armed Services Committee Democrats for their hard work improving this defense authorization bill, which invests in our troops and ensures they have the tools necessary to carry out their missions safely and effectively. While it is important to invest in our national defense, we must also work toward a bipartisan, fiscally sustainable budget agreement that provides relief from statutory budget caps to invest equitably in both national security and domestic priorities. I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan way to support a strong national defense and meet the global security challenges these uncertain times present.”
“This evening I voted for the bipartisan national defense authorization conference report for 2018, which invests in a strong national defense to meet the threats we face around the world. In a positive step, the conference report does not contain some of the problematic provisions that had earlier been in the House-passed version, including not hamstringing the military by codifying President Trump’s ban on transgender service-members.
“I am pleased that the conference report includes the Modernizing Government Technology Act, which I helped author, to upgrade our technology systems to make them more secure, efficient, and effective. I was also proud to work with other House Democrats to ensure that robust, bipartisan support for joint U.S.-Israel defense projects, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow anti-missile systems, is continued. In addition, this legislation recognizes the inherent national security danger from climate change and will increase pay for our troops. I hope Congressional appropriators will match it with an increase of pay at parity for civilian defense employees.
“I want to thank Ranking Member Adam Smith and Armed Services Committee Democrats for their hard work improving this defense authorization bill, which invests in our troops and ensures they have the tools necessary to carry out their missions safely and effectively. While it is important to invest in our national defense, we must also work toward a bipartisan, fiscally sustainable budget agreement that provides relief from statutory budget caps to invest equitably in both national security and domestic priorities. I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan way to support a strong national defense and meet the global security challenges these uncertain times present.”