Graham on Passage of the conference report to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement on the passage of the conference report to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The final vote was 92-7.

“I’m very pleased that the Senate overwhelmingly approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.

“This legislation makes important reforms to the Military Health System. It streamlines the administration of the Defense Health Agency, expands telehealth capabilities for beneficiaries, reforms TRICARE healthcare plans, and establishes a Joint Trauma System designed to improve battlefield medicine. It also authorizes, contingent on appropriations, a 2.1% pay raise for all service members, and additional troop levels to address the threats that our nation faces. Finally, this important legislation directs the Department of Energy to continue construction of the MOX facility at the Savannah River Site.

“This bill has been hailed as the most significant reform measure for the Pentagon since the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. Our Chairman and Ranking Member, Senator McCain and Senator Reed, have yet again delivered a bipartisan product the nation can be proud of and serves those in uniform well.”