Cramer Statement on 2013 Defense Authorization Becoming Law

Statement

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today Congressman Kevin Cramer released the following statement on the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) being signed into law by President Obama:

"The new defense authorization law is the result of a compromise reached by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The House passed the NDAA with a bipartisan majority in June including an amendment I sponsored to keep the active Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos at Minot Air Force Base in a warm status. It is disappointing this protection against unilateral nuclear disarmament by the Obama Administration was stripped by Senate negotiators.

"The defense appropriations bill passed by the House in July added even more protection by prohibiting the Obama Administration from going forward with an environmental impact study on deconstructing ICBMs, the first step toward reducing the fleet. Unfortunately the Senate has not passed a defense appropriations bill.

"However, I am pleased the NDAA supports increased troop pay, rejects the Administration's proposals to increase military medical fees, prohibits base closure, and addresses sexual assault. It also includes the new KC-46 tanker to be potentially stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, the new Long Range Strike Bomber to replace the B-52 bomber currently stationed in Minot, and prevents the premature retirement of the Global Hawk Bock 30 unmanned aircraft."

Source