WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, has been formally appointed to the conference committee on the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Rep. Sanchez to work to negotiate a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the NDAA. Once a compromise is reached, the bill will go back to the House and Senate and must pass in identical versions before being sent to President Obama for his signature.
“I am honored to have been selected as a conferee to negotiate the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act,” said Sanchez.
“My priority is to pass a bipartisan package that adequately funds and equips our military: protecting our national security and ensuring military readiness is of the utmost importance.”
“I will also endeavor to remove any and all discriminatory language from the final version of the NDAA. I will strongly encourage negotiators to remove discriminatory language that would allow government contractors to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.”
“Furthermore, I will encourage negotiators to adapt to sequestration caps. If sequestration caps continue, difficult choices must be made.”
“The current version of the NDAA does not comply with the Budget Control Act because it authorizes $18 billion over sequestration caps. I’m concerned by this risky funding strategy which takes $18 billion from Overseas Contingency Operations, potentially jeopardizing our military readiness and national security.”
“I look forward to improvements on a final bill that will support the men and women who serve our country and strengthen the defense of our country.”