Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) supported the passage of the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure that our military has the tools and resources it needs to defend the United States.
The NDAA is an important component of our national security. This bill helps to rebuild the United States military, increases the number of military personnel, and ensures that American troops have the resources necessary to effectively defend the nation and its people, and return home safely. Not only will the NDAA give American troops the resources necessary to carry out their jobs, but it will also give them a well-earned pay raise. The NDAA makes important investments in our missile defense capabilities to combat the dangers and threats our nation faces on a daily basis and also includes funding for projects in Minnesota like an indoor small-arms range for the Minnesota Air National Guard.
“The number one role of the federal government is to keep the American people and our homeland safe from all threats both foreign and domestic,” said Emmer. “Last year, the House promised to address military readiness and funding, and today, with the passage of the NDAA we are honoring that promise.”
“This legislation will not just improve national security and help our active duty members, but it will assist our veterans as well,” said Emmer. “I am pleased the Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act which I sponsored was added to the NDAA to finally recognize these service members who sacrificed so much for this great nation. I am proud of our work to rebuild our military, strengthen national security, as well as take care of our troops and veterans – and I look forward to continuing these efforts in the 115th Congress.
The Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act (H.R. 2754) which Emmer co-authored with Congressman McGovern (MA-03) was added to the NDAA as an amendment and unanimously adopted into the final legislation. This amendment requires the Department of Defense to issue a service medal to the veterans or surviving families of those members of our Armed Forces who participated in above-ground nuclear weapons testing; were part of the U.S. military occupation forces in or around Hiroshima and Nagasaki before 1946; or were held as POWs in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
To read the full text of the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act, click here.
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