Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018:

"The NDAA is by far one of the most important pieces of legislation that comes before Congress each year. It authorizes crucial training, equipment, and resources our nation's military relies upon to complete its mission. This year's bill places a special focus on modernizing our military forces so our nation is ready to take on tomorrow's threats.

From military installments to combat resources, modernization must occur across the DOD. This bill commits more time and energy towards research, development, evaluation, and testing to ensure America's service members have confidence in the tools they use in combat. This includes prioritizing vital missions ongoing at New Mexico's labs and bases, like White Sands Missile Range that tests next-generation missile defense systems required to combat the growing threats around the world. The modernization also includes vital reforms to the DOD's audit process, mandating a full budget review to ensure taxpayer money is spent efficiently and effectively, and with more transparency than ever before.

The United States has been sending our nation's troops into harm's way in Afghanistan since 2001. As an ardent supporter of our service men and women, I believe we must form a comprehensive military strategy to achieve our continued missions and goals in the Middle East, and the NDAA will support efforts to do just that. This bill requires the DOD to produce a strategy and present it to Congress to ensure all moving parts are working together, in the right direction to be successful.

Along with these significant reforms and rebuilding of our military, the NDAA also includes a much-needed military pay raise, which is the largest raise the military has seen in eight years. America's service members, veterans, and their families have sacrificed greatly to defend our freedoms and preserve democracy. The very least we can do is uphold our commitment to honor their sacrifices and provide them the resources they need during and after service. Being a service member affects your life and your family forever. Service men and women deserve quality care and support for them and their families for sacrificing so much to defend our freedoms."