Press Release

WASHINGTON–Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01) joined with his colleagues today in the U.S. House of Representatives in passing the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2013 [H.R. 1960].

“Congress is required by the Constitution to provide for the common defense of the country. The National Defense Authorization Act is an essential component of our ability to fulfill this constitutional obligation,” said Bishop.

The National Defense Authorization Act is reviewed and voted on annually by Congress to provide funding for the U.S. Department of Defense’s budget.  Included in the FY2014 legislation are provisions that specifically facilitate defense related programs in Utah.  These include:

“Ensuring that Hill Air Force Base and other Utah military installations  have the resources necessary to support our global defense systems is a key priority. I am glad that this legislation takes into consideration their important role in our national defense capabilities and that key provisions relating to Utah’s installations were included in the final legislation,” Bishop added.

Camp Williams Land Transfer: Section 2843 directs the U.S. Department of the Interior (BLM)  to transfer ownership of approximately 420 acres at Camp Williams to the State of Utah for use by the Utah National Guard for current and future military uses. This provision will complete the two-step process of conveying federal land in the Camp Williams growth corridor to the Utah National Guard.  Congress previously authorized the transfer of U.S. Army land to the Utah National Guard.

Francis Peak Radar Site Transfer: Included in section 2845, is a provision that provides for the transfer of the Francis Peak Radar Site owned by the Utah Air National Guard, to the State of Utah. The transfer will help provide for seamless and continued emergency communications (including 911 service to Davis county).

Prevention of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): As the Vice-Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, Congressman Bishop strongly supported and advocated for language that would currently prohibit a new BRAC process.  The language also prohibits the U.S. Department of Defense from using taxpayer funds to pre-study BRAC.  

Military Construction: Included in the bill is a new, high priority, fire station and hangar modification project at Hill Air Force Base, which will support the F-35 fighter.

F-35 Fighter:  The FY2014 legislation fully funds the Pentagon's request for the F-35 program, keeping it on track for Base-Ops 1 location at Hill AFB beginning in 2015.  

Depot Maintenance Funding:  Congressman Bishop worked with Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon (CA-25) to maintain funding for depot maintenance work in Fy14, which is essential to our nation’s military readiness capabilities.

Military Training Ranges Nationwide:   As both the Chairman of the National Parks and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee, and as the Vice-Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, Congressman Bishop ensured the inclusion of provisions that will help ensure that the U.S. Military can continue to train on certain areas of public lands in the Western United States.  Should these lands be withdrawn from use, the military would be forced to curtail certain training operations. These individual land provisions include:

                > Limestone Hills Training Area, Montana

                >White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

                >Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California

                >Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, California

                >Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California