WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) today cast her vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — legislation that authorizes the appropriation of $700 billion to the United States military. The bill boosts our nation’s defense capabilities and ensures that our military have the resources and tools needed to protect our nation. The NDAA passed the Senate by a vote of 89-8.

“The defense bill is one of the most significant bills we consider every year. Through this bill, we are enabling our military to protect both our nation and our livelihood. I am particularly proud that the Senate is providing a long overdue pay raise to our service members across the board. We also ensure that the quality of our state’s infrastructure is not limited by our geographic location,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “I commend my colleague Senator Sullivan for working hard on the Senate Armed Services Committee to secure important resources for Alaska and our nation.”

Bill Highlights:

• Military Construction:
  • Includes an amendment sponsored by Senator Schatz and co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski which will help the military meet a greater number of military construction requirements on Alaska bases by allowing more to qualify as minor military construction.
  • The bill authorizes the expenditure of nearly $168.9 million for projects on Eielson AFB in support of the upcoming F-35 beddown. The Senate’s Military Construction Appropriations bill, reported out of committee this summer, provides for the appropriation of the full $168.9 million in projects proposed for Fiscal Year 2018. 
• Missile Defense: Recent developments in North Korea have increased focused on the capacity of our nation’s missile defenses, including the ground based midcourse interceptor system at Fort Greely. The bill includes an amendment sponsored by Senator Sullivan and co-sponsored by Senator Murkowski that boosts our missile defense system, by including an increase of up to 28 ground-based interceptors –14 of which would be slated for Fort Greely.
• Second Division Memorial: Includes Senator Murkowski’s legislation which allows commemorative elements or engravings to be added to the existing Second Division Memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the members of the Second Infantry Division who have given their lives in service to the nation but have yet to be recognized.
• Troop Pay Raise: Authorizes a 2.1 percent pay raise across-the-board for members of the uniformed services and includes additional measures to improve quality of life for service members and their families.

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is a member of both the Defense and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittees.

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