House Passes Key National Defense Bill Bill Makes Critical Investments in Georgia Military Installations

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) today voted for and the House passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, annual legislation that authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. The conference report works out differences between previously passed House and Senate versions of the bill. After the Senate passes this bill, it will go to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
“This bipartisan bill makes national defense a national priority again, and puts the president’s plan to rebuild the military into action,” said Rep. Graves. “The bill also makes critical investments that strengthen Georgia’s contribution to our national defense, including essential funds for cybersecurity operations at Fort Gordon and surveillance aircraft stationed at Robins Air Force Base.”
Below is a list of the bill’s highlights:

1. Helps rebuild the military by authorizing $699.6 billion for the Department of Defense and defense-related activities;
2. Authorizes an increase in the size of the military by just over 20,000 servicemembers to address the threats against the United States;
3. Provides for a 2.4 percent pay raise for servicemembers;
4. Provides $103 million for A-10C Warthog wing upgrades, which will help preserve close-air support capability provided by units like those at Moody Air Force Base;
5. Provides $417 million for the recapitalization of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) fleet, which is flown out of Robins Air Force Base;
6. Includes $8 billion for cyber operations – an increase of $1.7 billion – including cyber operations at Fort Gordon;
7. Provides authorization for 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which are manufactured in Marietta, Georgia;
8. Authorizes upgrades to 85 M1A2 Abrams tanks and 93 Bradley Fighting vehicles, which will benefit the armored brigade combat teams at Fort Stewart;
9. Provides $43.3 million in Military Construction for a Combat Vehicle Warehouse at Albany Marine Corps Logistic Base;
10. Provides $10.8 million for an Air Traffic Control Tower at Fort Benning, Georgia;
11. Provides $32 million for an Air Force Reserve Command mission complex at Robins Air Force Base.