Udall Advances NM Priorities in Major Defense Bill

Pledges to continue working on Appropriations Committee to ensure robust funding to support troops, jobs and important defense programs at NM's labs, military bases and related businesses

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined the Senate in voting 85-13 to support our troops, military bases and national defense programs in New Mexico and across the country.

The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a policy bill that directs the progress of $543 billion in national defense programs. This year's bill includes essential provisions that will strengthen New Mexico's military bases and defense programs carried out at its federal installations - such as nuclear weapons programs and cleanup at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories, investments in personnel and research at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) - and that support jobs at New Mexico's defense businesses and small contractors.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee - in particular, its subcommittees on Defense and Energy and Water - Udall is responsible for writing and passing annual spending bills, which fund the programs authorized by the NDAA.

"I'm proud to fight for resources for New Mexico's labs and military bases, as well as our troops and defense employees. They help keep our nation safe and our communities strong," Udall said. "This bill directs our defense policy, establishing recommended funding levels for everything from military pay to base construction and nuclear weapons programs. I was pleased to cast a vote to support a 1.6 percent pay raise for our troops and to advance important programs, such as Operationally Responsive Space at Kirtland, construction projects at Holloman and Cannon, and the life extension work at Los Alamos and Sandia labs."

"The NDAA creates the blueprint to match the annual spending bills for defense programs. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I strongly supported the Energy and Water and Defense Appropriations bills earlier this year, which fund our labs and bases, and I will continue to work as hard as I can to ensure we provide robust funding for defense programs that are critical for New Mexico and our nation," Udall continued.