Press Releases

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016. The NDAA authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and includes nationalsecurity priorities and other military-related matters. The FY'16 NDAA passed by a vote of 269-151, with the support of Congressman Hice.  The Congressman released the following statement following the bill's passage:

"It is absolutely critical that we adequately and responsibly provide for the needs of our brave men and women in uniform and I was proud to vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill ensures military pay keeps pace with the private sector, includes needed acquisition reform, modernizes our nuclear infrastructure, contains important language regarding Iran's nuclear program, strengthens our efforts to defeat ISIS, and further restricts the transfer of Gitmo detainees. I am also pleased that the bill authorizes additional resources for Georgia's military installations, including Fort Gordon, and provides for 63 Joint Strike Fighters at a time when the Russians and Chinese are actively pursuing 5^th generation fighter technology. While the Democrats attempted to play politics with national security, the House appropriately acted to ensure the President's executive amnesty plan does not interfere with our military readiness."

The NDAA also includes language from H.R. 1897, the Amending the Grazing Improvement Act, authored by Congressman Hice, which enables farmers and ranchers to allow cattle to graze on federal lands.