WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) joined the House Tuesday in passing the Conference Report to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 [H.R. 2810] which included six amendments authored or sponsored by the freshman representative.

“From addressing water contamination at former and active military installations, to putting American leadership and security first, I’m proud that House and Senate negotiators have agreed to my crucial, bipartisan amendments,” said Fitzpatrick. “When it comes to protecting our homeland, our families and our allies abroad, there is no room for partisanship. Each one of these measures strengthens the overall bill and deserves to be signed into law. I look forward to continuing to work to keep Americans safe.”

Fitzpatrick’s language included in the final NDAA legislation include:

• Water Contamination:
  • Amendment #37: Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on the related health effects of exposure to PFOS/PFOA at military installations.
  • Amendment #290:  Requires a report on the Department’s progress developing and implementing alternatives to AFFF firefighting foam that do not contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as the Department has already begun.

• China:
  • Amendment #40: Requires DOD to include a description of any Chinese laws, regulations, or policies that could jeopardize the economic security of the United States in their Congressionally-required annual report on Chinese military and security development.
  • Amendment #56: Ensures the full reporting of freedom of navigation operations, including maritime claims that go unchallenged.

• Terror Financing:
  • Amendment #282: Requires the Report on United States Strategy in Syria to include a description of amounts and sources of ISIL financing in Syria and efforts to disrupt this financing as part of the broader strategy of the United States in Syria.

• Departmental Reform:
  • Amendment #39: Ensures that DOD's biennial core reporting procedures align with the reporting requirements in Section 2464 and each reporting agency provides accurate and complete information by having the Secretary of Defense direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to update DOD's guidance regarding future biennial core reports.

The NDAA is an annual federal legislation responsible for setting the budget and expenditures for the Department of Defense. The bill now heads to the White House to be signed into law.

FY18 NDAA Conference Report

• The NDAA provides $634.2 billion for base budget requirements and $65.7 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding.

• Funds requirements identified by the military services that will help rebuild our military and restore readiness by providing additional aircraft, ships, and systems for our warfighter, as well as funding for depot maintenance and facilities sustainment.

  • 90 F-35s, 24 F/A-18s, 3 Littoral Combat Ships, 3 destroyers, 85 Abrams Tank upgrades, 93 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 53 UH-60M Blackhawks, and additional critical modernization priorities.
• Funds a 2.4% pay raise for the troops, increases end strength for the Active and Reserve forces, improves the delivery of health care services, and ensures our service members and their families receive the benefits they deserve.
• Prohibits nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, includes additional provisions to protect victims of sexual assault, and improves sexual assault prevention and response.
• Provides the resources necessary for operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria to combat ISIS and other terrorist organizations.
• Increases funding for the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) to support our European allies and deter Russia.
• $350 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, $100 million for Baltic nations’ development of joint defense programs, and $705 million for the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow.
• Reaffirms the U.S. deterrence commitments to Japan and South Korea and continues to invest in ballistic missile defense capabilities to defend U.S. territories and our allies from potential threats from North Korea.
• Continues to reform acquisition at the Pentagon by increasing efficiencies through competition and enhancing oversight.
• The NDAA also authorizes funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) weapons activities and defense nuclear nonproliferation program.
• Maintains current prohibitions on transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Past Floor Action: The House passed H.R. 2810 by a vote of 344-81.