Alexander: President Trump Signs Into Law $716 Billion Defense Bill that Supports Pay Raise for Tennessee Troops

WASHINGTON, August 13, 2018 – United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement after President Trump signed into law a defense bill the Republican Congress passed that supports pay raises for troops at Ft. Campbell and nuclear weapons and national security programs at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.  

“I am glad the president signed this very important bill into law today — it supports the men and women who serve in our armed forces by authorizing pay raises for Tennessee’s troops, including those at Ft. Campbell, and increases research and development of new technologies so our military can deal with new and emerging threats,” Alexander said. “This defense bill also authorizes funding for advanced equipment to help ensure troops have the tools they need to protect American interests at home and aboard.”

Alexander continued, “This legislation also strengthens our national security by supporting important programs at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge to help modernize and maintain our nuclear weapons arsenal.” 

On August 1, the U.S. Senate passed the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes $716 billion for funding for the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, and includes the following priorities:

• A 2.6 percent pay increase for members of the military, including troops at Ft. Campbell.
• $21.8 billion for Department of Energy national security programs, which support critical work in Oak Ridge.
• Modernizing our nation’s nuclear stockpile, including a replacement strategic missile submarine, defense-related environmental cleanup, and nuclear energy programs at the Department of Energy.
• Authorizes $300 million above the administration’s request for science, technology and research programs, including $150 million for hypersonics programs, like ones carried out at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma. 
• Supports U.S. military forces stationed in Europe to counter Russian aggression.
• A prohibition on transferring detainees at Guantanamo Bay to the United States.
• Proposes funding for advanced equipment to help ensure the men and women of the armed forces have the tools they need protect American interests abroad and work with our allies to defeat ISIL, al Qaeda, and other violent extremist organizations.
• The bill seeks to reform and modernize the military health system to improve access to care, expand choices of health plans and modernize TRICARE, the Department of Defense health program for military service members, retirees and their dependents.

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