WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted in favor of the FY 18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. This year’s Act, which passed with a 356-70 vote on the House Floor, takes important steps to provide for our men and women in uniform, enhances our ability to combat threats to the nation, and includes safeguards to protect New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (MDL) from closure.

"We live in an uncertain world where there are serious threats to our country and our democracy, and today Congress acted to support our service members and equip them with the resources needed to keep America safe,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “With today’s action, we voted to raise wages for our hard working men and women in uniform, increase housing funds for families living on military bases, and extend survivor benefits for the widows of fallen soldiers."

Norcross continued: "I fought to include provisions that safeguard New Jersey’s Joint Base, which is strategically critical to our national security and to New Jersey’s economy. Thankfully, the bill has no BRAC cuts, it authorizes two more KC-46s and advances construction of hangars for the new tankers, so I feel optimistic about the future of our base."

The FY18 National Defense Authorization Act would authorize a discretionary base budget of $634.2 billion and $65.7 billion of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). The NDAA makes investments to fill genuine military readiness gaps by providing $3.6 billion in additional operations and maintenance funds for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force to increase training, spare parts, facility and equipment maintenance, and other readiness enablers.

The Act also strengthens U.S. cyber posture and efforts to counter information operations of adversaries, like Russia, and conduct effective U.S. and allied information operations.

Below are some specific provisions Congressman Norcross advocated for:

Protecting Joint Base MDL

Norcross worked to ensure that the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst won’t be targeted by Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and the conference report did not authorize a new base closure round.

After successfully securing the KC-46 fleet at Joint Base MDL this January, Norcross just led the effort to secure funding for 17 KC-46 air refueling tankers in the NDAA. (Read a letter sent ahead of the NDAA mark-up.) The conference report maintained the funding for 17 tankers.

The President’s Budget Request only provided 15 tankers for the Air Force. However, General Darren McDew, Commander of the U.S. Air Force Transportation Command stressed the importance of the refueling mission. At a hearing to examine priorities by the U.S. Air Force Transportation Command, the General told Congressman Norcross “air refueling tankers are what keep him up at night”.

Additionally, Norcross advocated for KC-46 hangars to house the new fleet and funding was included in the FY 18 conference report.

Military Pay Raise

Provides a 2.4% pay raise for our men and women in uniform, 0.3% more than the Trump administration had proposed, and in line with inflation projections.

Extending Survivor Benefits

The conference report extends survivor benefits for approximately 62,000 widows who are disadvantaged by the concurrent receipt laws of the Survivor Benefit Plan and the Dependency Indemnity Compensation by ensuring the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) is extended permanently. Although it does not completely remedy the concurrent receipt penalty, it allows widows to continue to receive SSIA without worry of the authority expiring.

Restoring Base Housing

Today’s NDAA provides a legislative fix that restores Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) cuts – cuts that were authorized during sequestration. Norcross is a steadfast advocate for benefits for military families and is pleased that members of the military and their families who are living on bases may once again receive full allowances.

End Strength Increase

Increases the end strength of all Services, with additional increases for the active Army by 7,500, the Army National Guard by 500, the Army Reserve by 500, and the Marine Corps by 1,000.

Supporting Israel, Our Democratic Ally in the Volatile Middle East

Authorizes $706 million for Israel missile defense cooperation programs (Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling). This includes increases of $268.5 million for research and development on U.S.-Israel Arrow and David’s Sling cooperative programs, including an Arrow flight test, and increases of $120 million each for David’s Sling co-production and Arrow co-production.  

Updating War Authorization

Norcross also advocated for an updated Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) during the NDAA process. The conference report requires the President to report to relevant Congressional committees on the legal and policy frameworks for the U.S. use of military force and related national security operations.

Military Casualty Reporting Requirements

The conference report includes a provision establishing requirements for DOD to report to Congress on non-combatant casualties as a result of military operations and strikes.

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov