Passage of H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and H.R. 4974, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, were supported this week by U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock).

“These bills ensure that our military will be provided with the resources and capabilities to confront threats and that our veterans get the care they deserve,” said Rep. Denham. “I am proud to support the men and women who put their lives on the line every day for our country as well as the ongoing effort to close the readiness gap.”

The NDAA authorizes $618.9 billion in national defense and military personnel program spending. It includes provisions to assist security forces in combating terrorism carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, enhances access to medical care for service members and their families, authorizes a much-deserved pay raise for troops and requires an updated national defense strategy to more accurately reflect evolving threats around the world. It also prohibits the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees in U.S. facilities.

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act provides funding for military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill also funds initiatives to reform the VA’s electronic health record system through modernization, increases funding for the VA Health Administration and provides support for claims and appeals processing activities to reduce backlogs.

“Our veterans deserve the best care our country can provide,” Denham said.