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Washington, D.C. – Today, President Trump signed into law H.R. 2810, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, which includes two amendments offered by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).
 
Rubio issued the following statement:
 
“America faces a growing number of threats around the world, and in recent years our military has been asked to do more overseas to keep us safe here at home. At the same time, our armed forces have been deprived of an adequate, long-term budget and subjected to damaging sequestration. As a consequence, our troops are suffering from readiness shortfalls and a growing procurement gap,” said Rubio. “We must ensure our men and women in uniform have the tools and resources they need to defend our nation, and that the administration and Congress work to restore our military capabilities to the level required to confront the many challenges ahead.
 
“In particular, my provisions ensure that the DoD’s national security assets and capabilities in Florida are fully repaired in the wake of Hurricane Irma, and that our cyber force is properly equipped and trained for this emerging field of warfare,” added Rubio. 
 
“The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act provides for our national defense and gives critical policy guidance to the Pentagon. For years, I’ve been pushing for our troops to get a well-deserved pay raise, and I’m pleased this bill provides them with the largest increase in six years,” said Rubio. “It also ensures Florida’s many military bases have the construction authorities they need, reverses the drawdown in troops requested by the president, and keeps in place the ban on bringing terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay to American soil.”
 
The Senate passed its version of the 2018 NDAA in September with Rubio’s amendments, and the House passed its version in July.
 
Background:
 
H.R. 2810 authorizes FY18 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for the procurement of aircraft, ships, missiles, weapons and other systems; research, development, test, and evaluation; operation and maintenance; Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities; the Defense Health Program; Overseas Contingency Operations; and Military Construction. The bill also authorizes the FY18 personnel strength for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding compensation and other personnel benefits, and matters relating to foreign nations.