WASHINGTON- Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement after the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 passed on June 14 by a vote of 315-108:
"For the 52nd year in a row, the House has come together - Republicans and Democrats - to do our most important work: support the troops and provide for our common defense. This bill makes vital investments to repair our crumbling readiness, ensures our troops have the support and benefits they deserve and have earned, and institutes reforms designed to stamp out the incidents of sexual assault within the ranks. Every member can be proud of the work they have done here today.
"I would note that the Senate Armed Services Committee also got their work done this week. Both bodies have taken the right steps to preserve our national security. This year, we are both taking urgent action to curtail the incidents of sexual assault in the military. For several years, the Senate majority leader has allowed the defense bill to languish for months without bringing it to the Senate floor, creating uncertainty in the ranks and forcing a rushed and imperfect conference process. The sexual assault reforms we propose will make a real difference for victims and will make needed cultural change. There is no reason to make these victims wait for vital reform and I urge Senator Reid to bring the NDAA to the Senate floor immediately."
