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WASHINGTON – Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, which authorizes funding for America’s military and defense initiatives. It passed the House by a vote of 269-151.

“Providing for the common defense of the United States of America is the federal government’s primary responsibility,” said Foxx. “This bill maintains the nation’s defense readiness and ensures the continued success of our military men and woman by providing them with the best equipment, skills development and compensation.”

The bill authorizes $515 billion in discretionary spending for national defense, which includes funding for the pay and benefits of the nation’s troops and their families. Additionally it authorizes $89.2 billion for overseas contingency operations.

During debate, Foxx supported an amendment by Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., that removed language from the bill encouraging the Secretary of Defense to waive enlistment requirements for illegal aliens. 

“The National Defense Authorization Act is not the place for a debate on immigration,” said Foxx. “It’s unfortunate that Democrats used the committee mark-up to advance a partisan issue on what should be bipartisan legislation supporting our troops.”

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U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.