Press Releases

Congresswoman Kendra Horn voted for the House’s largest defense authorization in history on Friday.

H.R. 2500, the National Defense Reauthorization Act authorizes military funding and programs. 

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was honored to play a significant part in crafting this legislation,” she said. ”It carries out one of our most critical tasks: ensuring a strong national defense. It makes sure our military continues to be the strongest in the world, creates more accountability and supports our troops. I’m proud of the work I and my House Armed Services Committee colleagues from both sides of the aisle put into this and I’m proud to vote on it today.”

The bill authorizes more than $140 billion in critical new equipment, including aircraft, submarines, missile destroyers, Blackhawk helicopters and refueling tankers. That also includes 90 new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

“The bill not only makes critical investment but ensures we’re doing so wisely,” Congresswoman Horn said. “It includes a host of provisions that promote accountability, transparency and oversight, such as an amendment I introduced with my Oklahoma colleague, Congressman Tom Cole. Our amendment requires an Inspector General audit of all depot maintenance sole source contracts. The bill also includes a bipartisan amendment I introduced that reduces the regulatory burdens and obstacles for auditors and public accountants conducting audits.”

In addition to investing in critical programs and increasing accountability, the bill supports the troops.

“Building a strong national defense is not only about planes and tanks,” Congresswoman Horn said. “We also have to invest in our most critical resource: our service members. I’m proud we implemented the highest pay raise for active military in a decade – 3.1 percent. This bill also ensures all federal employees have access to 12 weeks of paid family leave.”

“I am incredibly proud to have led the charge on creating new protections for families in base housing. During my first town hall, a woman in my district raised concerns about unacceptable housing conditions at Tinker Air Force Base including mold, vermin infestations and exposed asbestos. 

“I took immediate action and began working with the Readiness Subcommittee to address the problem, and we learned the issues went far beyond Tinker.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee I fought for a Tenants Bill of Rights for families in base housing. It bans unfair contracts and non-disclosure agreements, so families don’t have to suffer in secrecy. It appropriates $140 million for increased oversight of those housing developments.”

Congresswoman Horn reiterated the National Defense Reauthorization Act’s bipartisan nature. “The House Armed Services Committee spent 21 consecutive hours in the markup to address concerns from both sides of the aisle. Throughout the process, more than half of Republicans’ requests made it into the underlying bill – the same rate as Democratic requests.

The end product, like any other piece of legislation, doesn’t please everyone. It represents compromise.”