Senator Collins Statement Following Senate Passage of the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act

      WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this morning with a strong bipartisan majority (91-3):
 
      “During my time in the Senate, I have never been more concerned about instability and the challenges posed by the threats we face as a nation. This important bipartisan legislation is vital to ensuring that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have the critical resources needed to accomplish their national security missions around the world.  

      “Putting aside differences, both chambers of Congress worked diligently to pass this bill by strong bipartisan votes.  The President’s veto threatened to compromise the work Congress has done to ensure our national security priorities. It is well past time to pass this bill and send it back to his desk for his signature.  The Department of Defense, our troops, and their families, deserve the stability and assurance that the programs they rely on will continue to be fully funded.”
 
      The FY 2016 NDAA would authorize $599.2 billion in spending for our national defense. It authorizes important funding for the DDG-51 and DDG-1000 programs built at BIW, provides a pay raise for our troops of 1.3 percent, includes procurement reforms, and establishes policy on important issues such as sexual assault prevention reform.

      The Senate previously voted to pass the FY 2016 NDAA in June by a vote of 71 – 25. On October 7, the Senate passed the FY2016 NDAA Conference report by a vote of 70 – 27.