Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) During this time, my staff is working and available to serve the people of Mississippi. If you need immediate assistance, please call any of our offices or fill out our online contact form by clicking here. You can also check out my Coronavirus Resources page for quick access to the many federal, state, and local resources available to help combat the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker Menu
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Biography
    • Committee Assignments
    • Video Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
  • Constituent Services
    • Help with Federal Agencies
    • Academy Nominations
    • Flag Requests
    • Grants
    • Government Resources
    • D.C. Tour Requests
    • Internships
    • FAQ
    • Grants E-Newsletter
    • Mississippi Morning
  • Newsroom
    • Press Releases
    • Weekly Report
    • Op-Eds
    • In The News
  • Issues & Legislation
    • Issues
    • Sponsored Legislation
    • Co-Sponsored Legislation
    • Senator Wicker's Record on Obamacare
    • Senate Resources
  • Coronavirus
  • Students
    • About the Senate
    • Internships
    • Student Resources
  • Contact
    • Office Locations

Press Releases

  • Home /
  • Newsroom /
  • Press Releases
Bookmark and Share

Jun 30 2020

Wicker Urges Support for National Defense Bill

Legislation to Include Support for Shipbuilding, COVID-19 Response, JROTC Programs

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today spoke from the Senate floor in support of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The annual national defense bill authorizes all spending for the Department of Defense.

“The NDAA is a critical part of keeping this nation safe. It’s a critical part of giving our service men and women the training, the equipment, and the resources that they need,” Wicker said in his remarks.

As the former chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee, Wicker has been a long-time advocate for expanding the Navy’s fleet to meet rising threats from nations like China and Russia. Wicker noted in his remarks that the FY2021 NDAA would fund seven new battle force ships and authorize procurement of four new amphibious assault ships to be built in American shipyards.

“These projects would bring our Navy closer to the total of 355 ships, which is part of the requirement that we get from our admirals and generals from around the world,” Wicker said.

Wicker also highlighted the damage the coronavirus has done to the defense manufacturing base, which has struggled to retain employees as companies adapt their operations. Wicker has supported additional military procurement as a means to stabilize production lines for ships and aircraft.

“We’ve had this dip in military manufacturing that affects both ships and aircraft manufacturing, and I would just point out to my colleagues that we are going to need to restore that dip outside the regular appropriations process,” Wicker said. “I would commend to my colleagues the possibility of putting the job creation part of this equation in phase four of our COVID-19 response bill, which I think will come before the Senate in the second part of July.”

Wicker also praised the inclusion of additional funding for Junior ROTC programs. Wicker has sponsored legislation that would increase support for JROTC programs across the country.

“Junior ROTC is a fantastic way to build character and build ability and education in our high school students. If you take a school that is fortunate enough to have one of these programs, the statistics are absolutely astounding. Students that participate in Junior ROTC consistently statistically have better grades. They have fewer dropouts. There's a better graduation rate and there's higher post-secondary participation among the small set of people within a school who participated in Junior ROTC.”

“I've visited these programs in the state of Mississippi. They work and they're good. They're not only good for national defense. They're just good for America and for citizenship.”

Click play to view the video or follow this link
https://youtu.be/2BxWrzgN36I

Permalink: https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/6/wicker-urges-support-for-national-defense-bill

  • Related Links
  • Press Releases
  • Weekly Report
  • Op-Eds
  • In The News
  • Office Locations
  • Washington, DC Office

    555 Dirksen Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510 
    Main: (202) 224-6253
    Map this | Directions To
  • Tupelo Office

    330 West Jefferson Street, Suite B
    Tupelo, MS 38804
    P.O. Box 3777
    Tupelo, MS 38803
    Main: (662) 844-5010
    Map this | Directions To

  • Jackson Office

    U.S. Federal Courthouse
    501 East Court Street, Suite 3-500 
    Jackson, MS 39201 
    Main: (601) 965-4644
    Map this | Directions To

  • Hernando Office

    321 Losher Street
    PO Box 385
    Hernando, MS 38632 
    Main: (662) 429-1002
    Map this | Directions To
  • Gulfport Office

    2909 13th Street
    3rd Floor, Suite 303
    Gulfport, MS 39501
    Main: (228) 871-7017
    Map this | Directions To
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • About
  • Constituent Services
  • Newsroom
  • Issues & Legislation
  • Coronavirus
  • Students
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy