{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-national-defense-authorization-act-restores-troop-cuts-increases", "CRAMER: National Defense Authorization Act Restores Troop Cuts, Increases Soldier Pay, Funds ICBMs", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Listen to Audio Here\n  \n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressman Kevin Cramer joined the majority in the House of Representatives today in passing legislation restoring troop cuts, increasing soldier pay, \u00a0and funding the intercontinental ballistic missiles at Minot Air Force Base.\u00a0\nThe House passed the Conference Report to S. 2943, the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017. The legislation had been stalled during months of filibustering by Senate Democrats after the House passed its version of the bill in May. The Senate vote on this bill is scheduled for next week. \u00a0\nThe bill authorizes and prioritizes funding for the Department of Defense and military activities and construction, and sets military personnel strengths.\u00a0 \u201cThe primary responsibility of Congress is to provide for the common defense of our country, and this bill includes those necessary resources,\u201d said Cramer.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt also provides for the well-being of our military personnel and their families, authorizing the largest troop salary raise in six years.\u201d\nThe legislation provides $619 billion for the base defense budget and war-related overseas operations.\u00a0 It eliminates 110 general and admiral positions and reverses the President\u2019s drawdown of troops by adding 1,000 sailors, 3,000 Marines, 4,000 airmen and 1,000 active-duty Army soldiers, in addition to 15,000 who were set to be cut.\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s armed forces defend our nation in a world of ever-changing threats, and North Dakota continues to be crucial in that defense,\u201d Cramer said. Of particular interest to North Dakota are the following provisions in the bill:\n Prohibits funds from being expended to reduce, or prepare to reduce the responsiveness or alert level of U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which is a key benefit of the nuclear triad in deterring an enemy strike.\n\tContinues to fund ICBM fuze modernization and supports the Air Force proposal to structure the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program, to create a follow-on to the Minuteman III ICBM, as an integrated system consisting of the missiles, launch facilities, launch control centers, communications, and related infrastructure and equipment.\u00a0 \u201cThe current GBSD program at Minot Air Force Base has served the country\u2019s defense well and benefited North Dakota\u2019s economy,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cHowever, to ensure these assets remain effective they must be modernized. Doing it in Minot is the best deal for the American taxpayer.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\tSupports the new B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber to upgrade the current bomber fleet. \u201cThis includes the B-52s stationed at Minot Air Force Base, which ensure viability against current and emerging threats,\u201d Cramer said.\n\tMakes no changes to out-of-pocket costs for current force or retirees in the Tricare Military Health Care Insurance Plan.\u00a0\u00a0\n\tProhibits a new round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)\n The legislation also:\n Extends special pay and bonus authorities for nuclear officers\n\tIncludes a provision to deal with the California Guard bonus recoupment ordeal, shifting the burden of proof for accusations of fraud or misuse to the Department of Defense instead of individual soldiers.\n\tContinues to prohibit transferring detainees at the Guantanamo Bay military prison", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-national-defense-authorization-act-restores-troop-cuts-increases"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8848390318453312, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}