Reed Includes Key RI Provisions in National Defense Bill

Press Release

Following months of hearings and bipartisan negotiations, the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week. The $612 billion defense authorization seeks to maintain a strong, flexible military while providing critical support for U.S. troops and their families, as well as funding for the Navy's modernization efforts, ongoing operations in Afghanistan, countering ISIL, strengthening our cybersecurity defenses, and preparing for evolving and emerging threats around the globe.

The NDAA includes a number of key provisions that were championed by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Committee, and recognizes the strategic importance Rhode Island plays in our national defense.

As the committee's Ranking Member, Reed authored key sections of the NDAA designed to strengthen our naval readiness and boost submarine manufacturing, which is a vital part of Rhode Island's defense industry. Reed helped ensure the 2016 Defense Authorization bill continues the construction of two Virginia-class submarines per year, which is critical given the cost savings achieved, the efficiencies gained in the production schedule, and the projected shortfall in attack submarines over the next decade.

"I want to thank the Committee's outstanding ranking member, Senator Jack Reed," said Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ). "It was a pleasure to work with Jack on a bipartisan basis throughout the markup process. We worked through hundreds of amendments and some of the toughest issues confronting our military today. This is a better bill because of my friend, Jack Reed. I look forward to working together with my colleagues in the Senate, Chairman Thornberry, and Ranking Member Smith in the House to produce a defense authorization worthy of their service and sacrifice."

"I commend Chairman McCain for his leadership on this bill," Senator Reed said. "Thanks to Chairman McCain, there are many good provisions and needed reforms in the bill and we made significant headway in several areas. While we were unable to agree on the critical budget piece, the bill is a step toward providing resources for our men and women in uniform. I look forward to working with Chairman McCain and our counterparts in the House to find a responsible way forward," said Senator Reed.

Reed noted that the NDAA contains important investments in maintaining a strong military and addressing future national security challenges, with an emphasis on readiness and preparing for emerging threats around the globe. The bill seeks to better align American military strategy to available resources.

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