Rep. Bilirakis Supports Defense Authorization Conference Report

"This legislation ensures our troops around the world have the equipment, resources, and training to successfully complete their missions and return home," said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-09). "It provides soldiers, veterans and their families with the support they have earned, and will help protect the United States from threats."

Among other essential issues, the NDAA legislation:

• Extends vital troop pay scheduled to run out in the next few weeks. Without immediate passage, troop pay and benefits could be suspended for our forces.
• Requires the President to sanction entities that engage in financial transactions with the Central Bank of Iran.
• Saves $30 million by requiring the reduction of at least 10 percent of the printing and reproduction budgets within the Department of Defense.
• Creates an independent panel to review overseas bases, ahead of an anticipated reduction of America's global posture.
• Ensures that the DOD has robust Special Operations capabilities to meet emerging challenges on the battlefield.
• Enhances missile defense cooperation with Israel, so that our Middle East ally can meet the threat from Iran.
• Eases the process for members of the military to transition back to civilian life.