U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, sending the critical legislation to President Obama for his signature:
 
“Our troops put their lives on the line for our country, and I will always support their brave work. Today, we are sending President Obama a bipartisan bill that addresses our military's needs by streamlining our defense acquisition process, preventing the closure of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, and providing our military personnel with a much-needed pay increase. Georgians and military personnel stationed in the Peach State will be pleased to learn that vital programs such as JSTARS surveillance planes, A-10 jets, and Ohio Class replacement submarines are also prioritized to support our women and men on the frontlines. After the past eight years, I am encouraged to finally see our country setting some real priorities, and I look forward to working with President-elect Donald J. Trump and General James Mattis to rebuild our military in order to prepare for future challenges.”

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., praised the final Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, S.2943, to authorize necessary funding for service men and women, as well as providing for facilities and weapons in support of our national defense, including several critical priorities for Georgia. The final vote tally was 92-7.
 
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, or NDAA for short, is the compromise legislation between the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate-passed versions of the fiscal year 2017 funding measure.
 
“The United States protects peace through our strength, and this bill not only includes slightly higher end strength numbers for the armed services, but much-needed pay raises for our troops as well,” said Isakson. “The president-elect has discussed making our military funding a priority, and I look forward to working with him over the next four years to grow a military that will effectively defend our nation and protect our way of life.”
 
The defense bill includes policies to support our wounded warriors, active duty troops, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and their families. It provides an increase in base pay and combat pay for service members, as well as procurement of the tools and equipment necessary to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and numerous threats around the world.
 
“Last year’s veto of this funding measure by President Obama was shameful, and I hope this year’s outcome will be better,” said Isakson. “The National Defense Authorization Act funds our troops as well as our veterans and their families, and it provides resources that our military needs to protect our national security interests around the world.”
 
The National Defense Authorization Act provides funding to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open and operational, and prohibits the use of funds for the transfer or release of detainees to certain countries.
 
As home to more than a dozen military installations, Georgia is a key beneficiary of the National Defense Authorization Act. It prohibits additional rounds of a 2017 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. It authorizes a recapitalization of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System program and ensures proper funding for the current fleet until its replacement is fully operational. It also prevents the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and preserves its important mission at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga., and Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ga.
 
“I have fought to ensure that Georgia’s military priorities are included in this measure,” said Isakson. “Our state is home to key components in our national defense, and I will always make certain that they continue to receive the support necessary to accomplish its mission.”
 
The legislation now goes to President Obama’s desk for his signature.
 
The final legislation removes a provision that required women to register for the selective service draft. Isakson was successful in his efforts to urge Senate and House Armed Services Committee leadership to protect dual-military families, women and junior members of the Armed Forces by eliminating changes to the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing in the final version of the bill.
 
The 2017 NDAA will also provide an increase in military basic pay of 2.1 percent effective Jan. 1, 2017.
 
Senator Isakson remains fully committed to supporting our national defense programs. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes $611.2 billion in fiscal year 2017, including $523.7 billion for base Department of Defense programs, $67.8 billion for overseas contingency operations (of which $8.3 billion is for base requirements), $19.4 billion for national security programs in the Department of Energy and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and $300 million for the Maritime Security Program.
 
Specifically, Isakson supported the following Georgia-related items included in the final bill:
 
A-10s

Isakson fought to ensure the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act includes language that prohibits the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft as well as prohibits the use of funds to reduce A-10 manpower levels. Isakson and the Georgia congressional delegation remain in lock-step in their opposition to retiring the A-10 aircraft until a replacement becomes fully operational, which they argue could jeopardize our nation’s close-air support capabilities and the safety of American service members.
 
JSTARS

Isakson has long fought for an expeditious recapitalization of the aging E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System platform, known as JSTARS. Working with a group of bipartisan senators, Isakson was able to help secure the requested funds to upgrade this capability that our warfighters so greatly depend upon. The proven abilities of JSTARS to provide battle management, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance since its entry into service in the Persian Gulf conflict of the early 1990’s have stretched far into today’s fight against violent extremism around the globe.
 
Ohio Replacement Program

The National Defense Authorization Act legislation includes critical increases in funding authorization for replacement of Ohio-class submarines. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay located in St. Marys, Ga., is the home to the Atlantic Fleet’s Ohio-class nuclear submarines which carry Trident nuclear ballistic missiles. The variety of threats which exist around the world today demand that our weapons be the most modern and precise available. The fleet of Ohio-class submarines located at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay project power and silent capabilities around the world to protect our homeland.
 
Cyber Center of Excellence

Understanding the ever-changing environment of modern warfare, Isakson has been a staunch advocate of increasing our nation’s offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes a state-of-the-art cyber protection team operations facility at Fort Gordon’s Cyber Center of Excellence in Augusta, Ga. This vital facility will allow the U.S. Army to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and lead integrated cyber, electronic warfare and signal solutions in defense of our nation.   
 
Prevents Base Closure and Realignment Commission

The National Defense Authorization Act includes language supported by Isakson that prohibits additional rounds of base realignment and closure in fiscal year 2017. Isakson firmly believes we need to invest in and rebuild our military, not reduce personnel and close bases.
 
Guantanamo Bay

The National Defense Authorization Act provides funding to keep Guantanamo Bay prison open and operational and prohibits use of funds for the transfer or release of detainees to certain countries. Isakson continues to strongly oppose the closure of Guantanamo Bay and he adamantly disapproves of any effort to transfer or release of these dangerous terrorists to the United States.