Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after voting in support of the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House of Representatives today after being negotiated between the House and the Senate Armed Services Committees.

“The NDAA is critical to our national security.  The world remains a dangerous place and this bill plays a vital part in guiding our military. I am pleased to see passage of this important bill after a lot of hard work and many long hours,” Rogers said.  “When it comes to our nation’s defense, so many of the President’s policies have been a disaster– from his kowtowing to Russia to his interim deal with Iran, which will guarantee that state obtains a nuclear weapon.  Our defenses and deterrent are more important than ever.”

As Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Rogers worked to ensure the ongoing modernization of our missile defense, as well as our nuclear and space forces. In addition, he continued his longstanding efforts to help strengthen vital military facilities across East Alabama like the Anniston Army Depot, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Fort Benning.

Within the Strategic Forces subcommittee’s jurisdiction, the bill includes provisions authored by Rogers to ensure the United States is not relying on the space capabilities of China and to prohibit Russia from using U.S. soil for Russian satellite ground stations.  Additionally, the bill prohibits the exchange of sensitive U.S. missile defense technology with Russia and prohibits the integration of Chinese missile defense technology with U.S. missile defenses, as could be the result of the proposed procurement of such technology by the Republic of Turkey.

In addition, it fully funds the B61 Life Extension Program which is vital to our national security and an important component of both the U.S. strategic deterrent and the extended deterrence guarantees we provide to our allies in Europe and Asia.  The bill also makes clear that Congress will not provide any funding to implement nuclear force reductions under the New START Treaty unless Congress is fully briefed on the Administration’s plans.  The legislation increases funding for missile defense by $358 million above the President’s request, including $188 million for Israeli cooperative missile defense programs, including Iron Dome, to ensure the security of our most important allies.  The bill also provides the continued support and advancement of key national security space programs.  

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