Supporting the Revised 2016 NDAA
Congressman Doug Lamborn issued the following statement after his vote in favor of the revised 2016 National Defense Authorization Act:
"Even though this NDAA does not quite authorize the full amount of funding that we originally sought for the military, in this instance I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This NDAA, coupled with the recently passed budget agreement, will give our military leaders the certainty they need in order to be adequately prepared to defend our nation. The 2016 NDAA is essential to our vital Constitutional role to "provide for the common defense." It is a responsibility I take very seriously. This NDAA makes sure that we have the most agile, efficient, ready, and lethal military possible to face the threats of a dangerous world.
Regarding local missions, the bill includes vital provisions for space, missile defense, and cybersecurity missions and activities. Indeed, this NDAA is the most important for space operations in many years. In my capacity as Co-Chair of the Space Power Caucus and as a member of the Conference Committee, I did everything I could to ensure that the provisions making space a "major force program" and requiring the creation of a policy to deter adversaries in space were included in the finalized NDAA. The space related provisions show that Congress believes in the importance of space and recognizes that it will be an essential part of fighting and winning the wars of the future. Maintaining American supremacy in space is not optional, it is essential to American safety and security.
The bill also includes a military pay raise, provisions allowing for military members to carry firearms for personal protection on military bases, prevents the closure of Guantanamo Bay, extends new retirement benefits to hundreds of thousands of service members, and increases funding for critical directed energy technology."