releases: http://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-applauds-bipartisan-consensus-reached-national-defense-authorization-act
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-applauds-bipartisan-consensus-reached-national-defense-authorization-act | Langevin Applauds Bipartisan Consensus Reached on National Defense Authorization Act | 2014-12-04 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Democrat | House | RI | Jim Langevin | L000559 | langevin.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, applauded today’s passage of the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA, which passed the House by a vote of 300-119, authorizes $577.1 billion in spending for national defense programs for the fiscal year that began on October 1. “The National Defense Authorization Act is essential to our national security and to our ability to support our men and women in uniform. This bill represents a bipartisan compromise and will steer our defense goals and policies going forward, as the United States faces unprecedented challenges at home and abroad,” said Langevin. “I fought hard on behalf of Rhode Island, and this bill ensures the future success of the Virginia-class submarine program and our overall defense industry, which is central to our state’s economy.” The NDAA restores $818 million in cuts made to base-budget readiness accounts, allowing military services to make necessary repairs and upgrades to facilities and infrastructure. It invests in crucial counterterrorism efforts, including the continued training of Syrian rebels, $1.6 billion to train and equip the Iraqi army, and a flexible $1.3 billion Counter Terrorism Partnership Fund that supports U.S. Building Partnership Capacity programs to combat terrorism in the Middle East and Africa. “ISIL poses a serious threat to our nation and to our allies around the globe, and it is imperative that we support the international coalition that is currently fighting to bring down this ruthless group of terrorists. I am pleased that the NDAA makes targeted investments to support that coalition of allies,” Langevin continued. Langevin is the ranking member of the Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities (IETC) Subcommittee, and worked diligently to include investments for emerging technologies like electric weapons and broad-based R&D that will support the next generation of technologies. As co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, Langevin is particularly encouraged to see additional provisions relating to cybersecurity. The legislation empowers the Department of Defense to recruit and retain a skilled cyber workforce, and increases transparency surrounding the ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s cyber defenses. Langevin applauded the inclusion of language to address economic and industrial espionage, which is an insidious and pervasive threat to our national well-being. Langevin lauded the robust support of the nation’s undersea capabilities contained within in the bill, which reflects years of sustained effort. The legislation authorizes the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines in 2015, and fully supports both the Block IV multiyear contract completed earlier this year to build ten submarines between 2014-2018 at a rate of two per year and the Virginia Payload Module program, which is the lowest risk, lowest cost, and best path for maintaining critical undersea strike capabilities. It also fully authorizes the budget request for the Ohio Replacement Program and creates a National Sea-Based Deterrent Fund. Additional provisions Langevin championed in the bill include those that address psychological health challenges in the Special Operations community, emphasize the importance of adequate testing and assessment of ballistic missile defense system elements before final production or deployment, provide greater support for counter-proliferation efforts, and highlight the roles of the Guard and Reserve in cyberspace. He also noted the exclusion of troublesome provisions that he fought against, including those that would have critically hampered the Navy’s ability to train its future nuclear-qualified personnel and placed rigid requirements on the nation’s nuclear deterrent structure. The NDAA provides $1.19 billion for military family housing, includes a 1 percent pay raise for American troops, and ensures that servicemembers have access to education and training that will ease their transition back into civilian life at the completion of their service. In particular, the bill enhances authorities to help servicemembers obtain professional credentials and aids them in their pursuit of higher education through the GI Bill and federal financial aid resources. “We have a responsibility to support the men and women who protect this country, and that includes providing sufficient resources to allow them to assimilate back into our communities and lead productive, healthy lives,” Langevin said. “It is unacceptable that any returning veteran should face unemployment or homelessness. We must hold up our end of the bargain, and I am glad that the NDAA provides supports that will help ensure the long-term success of our veterans.” The legislation affords significant resources for the health and safety of servicemembers. It includes measures to prevent sexual assault in the military, protect victims of assault and prosecute offenders, requiring the establishment of a Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces. It also ramps up efforts to fight mental illness and reduce suicide rates among military members. The Secretary of Defense would be required to provide a person-to-person mental health assessment for active duty and selected reserve members each year. Additionally, there are provisions to better identify and treat mental health conditions and traumatic brain injuries, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. “This bill is not perfect, but it is the result of healthy and lengthy debate and compromise. As long as sequestration remains in place, military readiness will continue to be hindered, and I believe we need a better long-term strategy to address the financial constraints we face,” Langevin said. “This bill reflects our continued commitment to our troops, and it is a critical enabler of our military’s continued efforts to fight our enemies and further protect our nation. I am grateful to Chairman Buck McKeon and Ranking Member Adam Smith, as well as my IETC Subcommittee Chairman Mac Thornberry for their leadership on this legislation and on all national security issues.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |