Langevin Supports Final Passage of 2019 Defense Authorization Bill

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the Conference Report to accompany the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 359-54. The annual defense bill, which sets policy and funding levels for the nation’s armed forces, authorizes $639.1 billion in spending for national defense and an additional $69 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).

“I am proud of the bipartisan, bicameral work of the Armed Services Committees in developing this year’s NDAA,” said Langevin, who served as a member of the conference committee that hashed out the final details of the bill. “Congress has a Constitutional duty to provide for the common defense and keep Americans safe. While no bill is perfect, this compromise legislation demonstrates our shared commitment to securing our nation and supporting our service members.”

The final version of the bill maintains the House-passed 2.6% pay raise for service members, the largest such increase in nine years. It includes over $200 million in additional funding for industrial base improvements in support of the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs, both of which have a substantial Rhode Island presence. The bill will also enable the United States to better counter Russian aggression and reaffirm support to our European allies.

“I’m pleased the final bill keeps language strengthening American defenses against attempts to influence elections and democratic political processes,” continued Langevin, who serves as Ranking Member of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities (ETC) Subcommittee and is the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus. “The strong investments in our cyber personnel and capabilities as well as increased funding for key programs to maintain our technical superiority, such as railgun development, directed energy prototyping, and unmanned vehicles, will keep us well-positioned to defend our nation in future conflicts.”

The Conference Report preserves a Langevin-authored provision that requires the DoD to address climate and energy resiliency initiatives in their installation master plans. By accurately reflecting the growing challenges posed by the changing climate, these plans will ensure the ability of our armed forces to sustain mission-critical operations. Many harmful environmental riders, which would have weakened review and regulatory procedures, were removed during the conference negotiations. Conferees also struck a provision Langevin had opposed during committee consideration that would have weakened decades-old laws restricting machine gun transfers.

“I believe the final NDAA reflects broad bipartisan consensus,” said Langevin. “But I remain concerned about the support provided for the President’s plan to develop a new “tactical” nuclear weapon, which could inadvertently escalate conflicts. I am also shocked that instead of providing more care and support for our nation’s veterans, the bill authorizes a parade in Washington, DC, including operational, not solely ceremonial, units and equipment. We need to focus on maintaining readiness and keeping our country safe, not pulling troops away in an attempt by the President to score political points.”

The NDAA now returns to the Senate for a final vote before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.