Rep. Ruben Gallego Named to Conference Committee for National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was named to the House-Senate Conference Committee for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Conferees are responsible for reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA.
Rep. Gallego and the other conferees will have a seat at the table to negotiate with House and Senate leadership and help shape U.S. defense and national security policy.
This year, Rep. Gallego led several efforts that are included in the House version of the NDAA. Those efforts include a provision to maintain a robust military presence in South Korea; language to limit the Department of Defense's authority to repurpose funds designated for military construction; a provision to require the Department of Defense to provide more information on awards and disciplinary action taken as a result of the investigation into the 2018 Niger ambush; and an amendment to require a National Guard readiness briefing on natural disasters and weapons of mass destruction.
Rep. Gallego also helped to successfully secure language to ensure that Arizona's military priorities are recognized and preserved, including full funding for the A-10 Warthog program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and full funding of the F-35 program, including those at Luke Air Force Base and Yuma Marine Corps Air Station.
"The National Defense Authorization Act is a critical bill that helps improve our military readiness, modernize our armed forces, preserve our national security, and provide the resources, equipment, and training our military needs to complete their missions," Rep. Gallego said. "I want to thank Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Smith for entrusting me with this leadership role and I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis with my House and Senate colleagues to ensure we provide our military with the resources they need to keep our nation safe."
Rep. Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee.