HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR DEFENSE POLICY BILL WITH MILITARY PAY RAISE, INCREASED NATIONAL SECURITY INVESTMENTS
Authorization Measure Sets Tone for Defense Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted for passage of a national defense bill that authorizes funding and policies to ensure American military dominance into the future.
The FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (S.1790), approved 86-8, establishes defense policies for the upcoming fiscal year and supports President Trump’s policy to continue rebuilding the American military.
“Threats to our nation are more challenging and complex than ever before. It is our responsibility to be ready to crush those threats. The Senate defense policy bill responsibly focuses on rebuilding our military strength through strategic investments to overcome existing and emerging threats,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“I believe this bill provides a good foundation to now move forward with providing actual funding for these defense programs through the appropriations process,” she said.
Overall, it authorizes a total of $750 billion for national security, including a 3.1 percent pay raise for uniformed military personnel—the largest increase in a decade.
Important to Mississippi, the measure authorizes appropriations for aircraft, ships, and equipment procurement. The measure authorizes $24.1 billion for shipbuilding, which would influence defense-related work at shipyards on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The bill also addresses:
• Quality of life issues for servicemembers and their families, including reforms to the privatized military housing program;
• Reinforcing technological capabilities to counter threats from foes like Russia and China, while strengthening military ties with allies like Israel; and
• Instituting additional reforms to streamline the Pentagon bureaucracy to improve efficiency, innovation, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
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