Alaska' Senators both voted in favor of the bi-partisan Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act which passed on a vote of 84-15 on Thursday.

The bill, which included a series of provisions championed by Senator Begich that attempts to eliminate wasteful spending, cut bureaucracy in the Pentagon, and prevents base closings, will go to the President for signing.

The bill also brings $202 million for military construction to Alaska as well as another $82 million for an electrical/mechanical building on AMissile Field #1 at Fort Greely, $17.2 million for a Clear Air Force Base early warning radar upgrade and a 103 million helicopter facility upgrade at Fort Wainwright.

Also included in the NDAA bill is a pay increase of 1% for all military members and three dozen provisions to improve protection for victims of sexual assault and sexual trauma, brought on in part by the efforts of Senator Murkowski.

“Nearly 80 years ago, General Billy Mitchell said that Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, and the 21^st century is proving him a true visionary,” said Murkowski. “With emerging threats in the Pacific region, Alaska lies at the frontlines of a new era in national defense and it is encouraging that the Department of Defense is investing in our ground-based missile defense, Alaska’s military footprint and also providing eight valuable aircraft to our state for emergency responses like the Galena flood or the storms we’ve recently seen in Western Alaska.”

“Passage of today’s bill is great news for Alaska and its military members and families,” said Begich. “In addition to millions of dollars in military construction for Alaska, this year’s reauthorization provides a much-deserved 1 percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces while rejecting a misguided Tricare health care fee increase. I am also proud that we took balanced approach with this bill that not only makes critical investments but also takes real steps at eliminating wasteful spending. These critical investments in Alaska are further proof that Alaska is a key resource and priority when it comes to our national security.” in Alaska.

Although Begich lauded the efforts to improve protection for sexual assault victime, he felt that it did not go far enough. “While this bill is good news overall for Alaska, I continue to be disappointed that it did not go further to eliminate sexual assault and misconduct in the ranks. This is a serious problem that must be taken seriously and I will continue my fight for stronger provisions to protect the military men and women who sacrifice every day for this country.”

President Obama also commended the Penagon for its efforts towards eliminating sexual assault in the military, and directed Secretary Hagel and Chairman Dempsey to report back to him with a full-scale review of their progress in December 2014. Obama said in a sstatement released on Friday, “If I do not see the kind of progress I expect, then we will consider additional reforms that may be required to eliminate this crime from our military ranks and protect our brave service members who stand guard for us every day at home and around the world.”