WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) – a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee – was appointed to serve on the joint conference committee for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The conference committee is charged with producing a bicameral compromise on the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) defense policy bill.

“We live in an uncertain world where there are serious threats to our country and our democracy, and we must ensure our military has the tools and manpower needed to defend our nation,” said Congressman Norcross. “I thank Leader Pelosi for entrusting me with this important role to help ensure our defense policy enhances our country’s security, benefits our servicemembers and strengthens our bases. New Jersey and the Delaware Valley are home to a number of defense facilities and industries that provide high-tech jobs and play an important role in the security of the United States. On the joint committee, I will be working to support our missions at these facilities and working to develop strong, smart national security policy.”

As Chair of the TAL Subcommittee, Norcross led the House authorization of approximately $100 billion of Department of Defense spending for FY20. That included overseeing efforts to fund an additional 12 F-35A aircraft and fully support the budget request for the F-15EX program to begin replacing our aging F-15C fleet.

Norcross added: “As we work with our Senate counterparts, I am confident that we will build upon the good work spearheaded by HASC Chairman Adam Smith. By the end of the process, I look forward to a final product that keeps our military fully equipped, meets mission requirements and deters potential adversaries, while ensuring the Department of Defense’s programs are fiscally responsible.”

TAL is responsible for the authorization of funding for equipment across the services (Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps), National Guard and Reserves. Specifically, the Subcommittee authorizes funding for and conducts oversight of all military tactical aviation and helicopter platforms; Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps combat and tactical vehicles, servicemember equipment, and electronic warfare programs among others. Above all, the Subcommittee is tasked with ensuring that our military’s modernization strategies and programs meet core military equipment requirements, our military is equipped to meet mission requirements and deter any hostile threats, and that the Department of Defense is fiscally responsible and accountable to the nation’s taxpayers.

Norcross was elected Chair of the TAL Subcommittee by his colleagues in January. The selection followed his re-appointed to serve on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Education and Labor in the 116^th Congress.

On July 12, Norcross voted in favor of the NDAA on the House Floor. On July 19, Norcross and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy led the New Jersey Congressional Delegation on a tour of New Jersey’s military installations.

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