06.14.16

Hoeven: Senate Approves National Defense Authorization Act

Bill Approves Key Priorities for North Dakota and the Nation

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate has passed the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which approves the nation’s military programs. The legislation includes key provisions that will benefit North Dakota’s bases. The Senate and House versions will now have to be reconciled.

“The National Defense Authorization Act and the National Defense Appropriations Act are two of the most important pieces of legislation Congress considers and passes,” Hoeven said. “Today, the Senate passed the Authorization Act, which upholds the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base, the Global Hawk missions at Grand Forks and our North Dakota National Guard’s missions in Fargo. Next, we’ll work to pass the companion bill, the Defense Appropriations Act, to ensure that our Armed Forces have the resources they need to defend our nation and the American people.”

Provisions that will benefit North Dakota include:

• Authorizes $300 million in funding for the Air Force to begin replacing the UH-1N Huey helicopter that provides security for the ICBMs located around Minot Air Force Base
• Authorizes the RQ-4 Global Hawk program at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
• New research and development work on a next generation ICBM to replace the existing Minuteman III
• New projects to upgrade the B-52, particularly the development of a new advanced radar system
• Research and development work on a new nuclear cruise missile to replace the aging Air Launched Cruise Missile carried on the B-52

The bill also authorizes the following key provisions for our Armed Services and national security:

• Authorizes an across-the-board pay raise of 1.6 percent for all servicemen and women.
• Ensures Guantanamo detainees will not be transferred to the U.S.

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