Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, the House considered the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), HR 5515, to close out Military Appreciation Month. Congressman Scott Perry supported the proposal.

“This legislation was critical for our Troops and efforts to ensure our security here at home and around the globe,” said Perry. “I urge its swift passage in the Senate.”

The bill increases funding for readiness and rebuilding our military. Specifically the proposal:
• includes a 2.6% pay raise for our troops, the highest in 9 years;
• increases the number of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen;
• reforms the Pentagon bureaucracy and streamlines acquisition; and
• invests in missile defense and nuclear deterrents.

Congressman Perry also offered an amendment - adopted into the bill – that requires the Secretary of Defense to examine how Iranian-backed militias are gaining access to US-provided equipment via the Iraq military. The Department of State reported, for example, in late 20177, that as many as nine American tanks had fallen into the hands of unauthorized end-users, including Kataib Hezbollah - a designated terrorist organization.

The goal of this amendment is to examine how unauthorized organizations are gaining access to US equipment, and how to prevent it.

“U.S. military equipment being obtained by terrorists and used in the Middle East is completely egregious, is an affront to everything we stand for, and ultimately costs innocent lives,” said Perry.

The NDAA cleared the House by a vote of 351 to 66 and heads to the Senate for further consideration.