WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., supports the “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA), which is being considered by the Senate this week. The NDAA contains numerous provisions proposed by Wicker that would bolster American national security and support Mississippi priorities.

“This bill gives our men and women in uniform the tools and resources they need to keep us safe,” Wicker said. “I am pleased that several of my proposals made it into the bill, including accelerating the timeline for a 355-ship Navy, giving benefit equality for our Guardsmen and Reservists, and expanding Junior ROTC programs in underserved communities. As the Senate considers additional amendments to the bill this week, I will continue to prioritize the national security needs of our country and Mississippi’s contributions to our armed forces.”

Among other provisions, the Senate National Defense Authorization Act would:

• Continue the push to build the 355-ship Navy as required by Wicker’s “SHIPS Act” by authorizing $23 billion for shipbuilding, an increase of $1.2 billion over the President’s budget request;
• Approve 13 provisions of the Wicker-McCain “Surface Warfare Enhancement Act” to improve training, raise standards, and reduce stress on the overworked operational fleet, in addition to more flexibility for the Navy to retain high-performing officers;
• Help equalize benefits received by Active Duty and Reserve Components by including provisions of Wicker’s “National Guard and Reserve Benefits Parity Act”;
• Enact Wicker’s “JROTC Act” to expand the number of Junior ROTC units in rural and underserved areas;
• Formally authorize the Navy Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School located at Stennis Space Center in Hancock County; and
• Prohibit the Air Force from establishing a new Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) base until the student pilot capacity is maxed out at existing UPTs, including Columbus Air Force Base.