WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report, legislation that will provide our military with the largest pay increase since 2010 and make reforms to defense acquisition, military health care, military justice, and security cooperation.  

“Providing our troops with the resources they need to keep our nation safe is one of Congress’ most important responsibilities,” said Thune. “After extensive bipartisan work in the House and Senate, we are sending the president a bill that provides troops with the pay raise they deserve and includes reforms to make our military more efficient and effective. I urge the president to put our troops first and sign this bill without delay.”  

The NDAA conference report also includes a provision that will fix statutory language that negatively affects the Impact Aid program in states across the country, including South Dakota.

“Not only does this bill provide essential funding for our troops, but it also includes a critical fix to the Impact Aid program that will help protect dozens of schools throughout South Dakota and the students they serve,” continued Thune. “South Dakota relies on Impact Aid, so I’m glad this issue will soon be resolved and that our schools will no longer face what would have been drastic cuts in funding.”

Thune worked closely with Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to secure this critical Impact Aid provision in the NDAA. This legislation now heads to the president for signature into law.