CHERRY HILL, NJ – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today issued to following statement after the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA).

“Today, I voted for the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee provisions of the FY21 NDAA. These provisions take the commonsense approaches necessary to support our air and sea forces as they defend our democracy and our allies overseas and continue Congress’ oversight in protecting our taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Norcross. “Notably, we included one of my top priorities for our national defense and regional economy, which is to ensure the KC-10 aircraft refueling tanker fleet is not retired prematurely, so the service men and women at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst can continue carrying out their critical missions as planned, while preparing for delivery of the new KC-46s. I am proud to lead this effort along with Rep. Andy Kim, and thank Chairman Joe Courtney and Ranking Member Rob Wittman for working with us to include this important provision in the Subcommittee Mark.”

The Air Force had planned to retire 16 of the KC-10s this year, which would have worsened the nation’s current air refueling capacity gap and left Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with fewer mission-capable aircraft. Under this Mark, the Air Force will only be able to retire six KC-10’s in FY21, then 12 in FY22, followed by 12 more in FY23, as was the original plan to allow time for the base to be ready to stand up and accept delivery of their 24 new KC-46A air refueling tankers starting in FY22.

Other provisions included in the Mark which Congressman Norcross fought for include funding for our maritime security fleet, including the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels being built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard; a 10 ship tanker security fleet to support our Navy in a time of war; restoring funding for a 2^nd Virginia class submarine; and other provisions to support our industrial base and workforce across New Jersey and the Delaware Valley.

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Contact: Carrie Healey, Communications Director
carrie.healey@mail.house.gov