WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today applauded Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. The legislation now goes to the president’s desk for signature.

“The NDAA is one of the most critical pieces of legislation we pass as Congress,” said Roberts. “It provides funding to strengthen our military and increase preparedness for the many threats we face as a nation. This year’s bill also provides the largest pay raise for our service members since 2010 and ensures upgrades necessary to rebuild and modernize for future challenges. Lastly, it again includes a provision I have long fought for to prohibit any administration from transferring terrorists at Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. mainland. The U.S. has the greatest fighting force in the world, and this bill is essential to ensuring our military can fulfill its mission.”

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes funding for the U.S. military and our national security through Fiscal Year 2018. It been passed consecutively for 55 years to authorize funding for the Department of Defense and related programs.

Specifically the bill:

• Authorizes $692 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and related programs for Fiscal Year 2018
• Includes a pay increase for the military of 2.4 percent, the highest military pay raise since 2010
• Prohibits a new round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
• Provides for next-generation technology and protections against cyber warfare
• Reduces redundancy and promotes oversight in programs
• Allows for greater end-strength and preparedness in the military
• Authorizes research and development aimed to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons

The legislation also includes a prohibition of the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay to certain countries or anywhere on the U.S. mainland. Roberts led the charge in the Senate against the Obama administration’s attempts to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer the prisoners to the U.S. mainland, in particular Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, a site that was surveyed during the Obama administration. Although President Obama’s plans were never realized, Roberts continues to fight any move of detainees to the U.S. mainland.

The legislation passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously earlier this year. For a summary of the provisions included in the bill, go here.

The Senate passed the bill by voice vote. The House passed the legislation earlier this week by a vote of 356-70.

Senator Roberts is the most senior Marine in the Congress. He was Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2003-2007 and is a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.