U.S. Senator David Perdue continues to make an impact in Washington D.C. in his first term, this time by providing input on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2018. The NDAA, which is essentially the annual budget for the Department of Defense, clocks in at $632 billion with an additional $8 billion from the Trump administration for other defense priorities. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Perdue had a premier seat at the table as the budget was laid out for the next year.
Perdue provided 30 provisions to the NDAA, ranging from an expedited ‘clean’ audit of the DOD to providing funding for the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Below are a sampling of his other priorities included in the bill, which is currently on the Senate floor for consideration and expected to pass.
- Hold Iran accountable – A hot topic issue in recent years, Perdue calls for additional reporting on Iranian technology transfers as well as their military cooperation with other nations.
- Space-based sensor – With the threat of intercontinental ballistic missiles from countries such as North Korea, a space-based sensor system capable of aiding our missile defense system is a priority.
- Cyber security training – The Secretary of Defense organized a cyber security training program in 2013, which Perdue urges be brought into the spotlight now with the looming threat of Russia and others performing cyber-attacks on the U.S. Georgia’s own cyber security center in Augusta, now under construction, could figure into that mix.
- Columbia Class SSBN – Keeps development of the Ohio Class replacement plan for the new fleet of nuclear submarines funded and on schedule, ensuring that the key leg of the nation’s nuclear triad won’t have a lapse in capability.
Said Perdue on the act, “One of six reasons why 13 colonies came together in the first place was to provide for the national defense. Over the last ten years the world has become more dangerous, and the Senate Armed Services Committee has taken action to ensure our military has the resources it needs. Given my seat at the table for the Defense Authorization bill, we were able to fight for priorities important to our national security and Georgia’s military community including easing the burden on military families and strengthening our state’s military bases. Responsibly funding our national defense remains a top priority and is necessary to protect our homeland and advance U.S. interests around the world.”