Press Releases

Yesterday, members of the conference committee for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA) unveiled the agreement reached in the bicameral negotiations. Representing the House Budget Committee’s jurisdictional areas as NDAA conferees, Chairman Steve Womack (AR-03) and Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01) issued the following statements after signing the conference committee’s report.

“I’m honored to have served alongside Chairman Womack as a fiscal year 2019 NDAA conferee for the House Budget Committee and am pleased to see this bill go to President Trump’s desk,” said Representative Bergman. “As a retired Lieutenant General in the Marine Corps, I know that certainty from Washington is critical for the military to carry out its mission. The fiscal year 2019 NDAA provides this certainty and ensures our service men and women receive the resources they need.”

“One of the most fundamental duties of Congress is to provide for our brave defenders,” said Chairman Womack.“From the onset of NDAA negotiations, conferees shared the common goals of strengthening and investing in our military and ensuring the best resources, training, and support are available to our warfighters. I am proud that our bipartisan, bicameral agreement achieves this critical commitment, and I thank Chairman Mac Thornberry and Senator James Inhofe for their leadership.”

Background:

The National Defense Authorization Act is legislation that must be reported out of the House and Senate Armed Service Committees each year and signed into law to authorize funding for the nation’s troops. The House passed its version of the fiscal year 2019 NDAA on May 24, 2018, while the Senate passed a different version of the legislation on June 18, 2018. The conference committee is charged with resolving the differences between Senate and House versions of the bill for approval by both Chambers before the legislation is sent to the desk of the President.