Virginia in the Vanguard on NDAA

Yes, Virginia is for Lovers. But only because we have people willing to sacrifice their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to make it happen.

Whether it was during the Revolution, Civil War, WWI, WWII or anything subsequent, the commonwealth has always been a hub for the vanguard of democracy.

With today’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act – part of this extremely elusive concept called “regular order” in Washington DC – Virginia’s heritage, economy, and honor remains intact.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new guard renegade in the House like Rep. Dave Brat or the leader of the district that hosts the largest concentration of military forces like Rep. Scott Rigell, today showed a bit of conservative backbone and unity in doing what matters to serve America’s best interests and ensure our military readiness.

Here’s a quick rundown on what our representatives are saying about today’s House action….

“The next President will face a dangerous world with growing threats, and this legislation is a down-payment on the military needed to meet those threats. I look forward to working with the Senate to send legislation to the President’s desk that gives our warriors the tools they need to execute their missions and come home safely.” – Rep. Randy Forbes, chairman, House Armed Services Subommittee for Seapower and Projection.

Key elements from Forbes’ subcommittee:

* Revitalizes Navy Shipbuilding and Accelerates Key Programs.The mark authorizes procurement of 3 additional ships ($433M for a destroyer, $856M for an amphibious ship, and $385M for a Littoral Combat Ship) above the administration’s plan. Between the SCN account and the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund, it authorizes $20.6 billion for shipbuilding—$2.3 billion more than the President’s budget and the highest level of shipbuilding funding, accounting for inflation, since Fiscal Year 1988.
* Prohibits Inactivation of Navy Cruisers.The Seapower mark prevents the administration from inactivating 11 of 22 cruisers under a “phased modernization plan” and holds the administration accountable for cruiser modernization by withholding funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense until modernization contracts have been signed.
* Denies Navy’s Request for Authority to Disestablish a Carrier Air Wing.The mark, along with efforts made by the Readiness and Military Personnel Subcommittees in their marks, denies the Navy’s request for authority to disestablish one of ten extant carrier air wings (CVW) and funds the continued operation of that critical element of force structure.
* Transfers Funding into the National Sea-Based Deterrent Fund and expands its authorities.The mark shifts the first procurement funding for the Ohio Replacement submarines into the NSBDF and grants the fund additional authority for “continuous production,” allowing the Navy to procure components like missile tubes in one large production run at substantially lower costs.
* Calls for Navy to Build Aircraft Carriers 20% Faster.Forbes’ legislation calls upon the Navy to build aircraft carriers every four years instead of five, a change in tempo that will increase the size of the carrier fleet. The mark also authorizes the “block buy” of components for multiple carriers, reducing costs for the taxpayer. Carriers will continue to be the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s ability to prevent and win America’s wars.

“This Administration has undermined our military’s ability to provide the necessary equipment and training for our troops to deploy by using funds that should be reserved for the base budget to pay for overseas operations. This bill takes critical first steps to combat that short-sighted policy. It shifts $18 billion from the Offshore Contingency Operations (OCO) fund into our military’s base budget, providing funding for our service men and women on the front lines and troop training and equipment back at home. In addition, it bolsters our Navy fleet, supports military construction, halts troop draw-down, and sets the stage for increased Army and Marine troop levels.” – Rep. Rob Wittman, chairman, House Armed Services Subcommittee for Readiness.

Key element from Wittman’s subcommittee:

Readiness sets aside $5 billion in additional funds for ship and aircraft depot maintenance, aviation training and readiness, and long-neglected facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization accounts.

Additionally, Rep. Dave Brat passed an amendment in the NDAA that “would encourage the Department of Defense (DOD) sell or otherwise divest foreign property that it no longer has use for” and “requires the DOD to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the petitions it receives and the status of each one. If the DOD denies a petition, it does not have to consider it again for five years.”

“Given that the national debt exceeds $19 trillion, and military readiness is at dangerously low levels, Congress must ensure that every dollar it spends is used as efficiently as possible,” said Rep. Dave Brat. “My amendment would establish a process for a foreign government to petition the DOD to have a property returned to that government. If the DOD decides the property provides little or no value, then DOD would work with the foreign government to return the petitioned property to them, and any proceeds would be directed towards readiness programs so that our military is prepared to meet current threats.”

Also, Rep. Barbara Comstock contributed two amendments to the NDAA related to veteran transition/job-training and addiction concerns:

“One of them is intended to expand access to DOD job-training programs available to transitioning service members. These particular initiatives allow our women and men in uniform opportunities to receive on-the-job training for a post-service career path. The other amendment is designed to explore new options in our efforts to combat opioid abuse. The amendment requires the DOD to study the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using upgraded prescription bottle lock mechanisms when dispensing opioid medications. The long and dark road of addiction often starts with an adolescent taking one or two pills from someone close to them. The intent of this amendment is to decrease access for those not prescribed these medications.”

All this being said, kudos to Rep. Scott Rigell for his tremendous efforts to serve the men and women who have served and sacrificed for this country. I guess he saved his best for last by ensuring 2nd Amendment rights are protected, there’s a 2.1% pay raise, the end strength of our military is increased, and that prisoners from GWOT stay in Guantanamo.

Regarding the 2A provision, Rigell said, “Considering the threats we face from Islamic extremists, foreign and domestic, and lone wolves, it is prudent that our military families have access to the resources they need to defend themselves and their families in any community they are stationed for duty.”

Rigell also stated that a new authorization for use of military force (AUMF) is necessary:

“Some of my colleagues hold a genuine belief that the 2001 war authorization is sufficient. In my opinion, it is a weak and wholly inadequate legal document to pivot from in the fight against ISIS. Congress must meet our lawful obligation to our service members by passing an AUMF that would supersede and replace the 2001 AUMF, and provide clear legal authority to the President regarding the use of force against ISIS and other terrorist organizations. We must advance this national security priority immediately.”

Now it’s up to the Senate. But it is superb to see Virginia leading the way.

Update…to further elaborate on my last point…

We all know the NDAA has a long way to go before passage. But kudos to the work of the congressional reps and their staffs for getting it this far.

The reality is that it likely won’t turn out at exactly as projected above. And, then, even if passed, the president might threaten a veto over some social issue buried in the bill (not that anything like that would happen).

By then we’ll be so cynical and jaded that the average Virginian could give two whiffs about this bill.

Let’s hope not.