CRAMER: DEFENSE BILL FUNDS DRONE UPDATES AT GRAND FORKS AIR BASE

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer commended the final passage of H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2019 today in the House of Representatives. Once the Senate passes this legislation, it will head to the President's desk for signature.

NDAA provides a total of $717 billion for national defense budget including $616.9 billion for the Pentagon budget, and $21.9 billion for nuclear weapons programs under the U.S. Department of Energy. The bill would also authorize $69 billion for war costs under the special Overseas Contingency Operations account.

"Every day, the airmen stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base provide security around the world using unmanned aerial systems," said Cramer. "By modernizing the RQ-4s, we ensure our drone operators have top-of-the-line technology to get the job done."

This week Cramer welcomed Vice President Mike Pence to the Grand Forks Air Force Base and met with servicemembers. During his remarks, Pence said Cramer has been a great champion for our national defense. They met with servicemembers and thanked them for their sacrifice and love of country.

Highlights for Grand Forks:

* Provides $220 million for RQ-4 modernization. RQ-4 drones are flown out of the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

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