WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate passed legislation today to help strengthen the country’s national security and support the troops. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., praised the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, which drives America’s defense policy and authorizes spending for the military, including several important provisions directly supporting Wyoming.

“This legislation is a win for our troops and for Wyoming,” Enzi said. “As the world continues to get more dangerous by the day, it is important that we as a nation are prepared. Whether we are taking the fight to ISIS or ensuring Wyoming’s ICBMs are secure and maintained, this bill will strengthen our country’s defense forces in America and around the world.”

In Wyoming, the NDAA would provide a pay raise for Wyoming’s approximately 3,500 activity duty and 3,000 guard and reserve military personnel. It would also authorize a UH-1N “Huey” helicopter replacement program to provide security for the ICBM missile fleet at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne and throughout the 20th Air Force Command. There is also authorization for construction of a new Missile Transfer and Maintenance Facility at F.E. Warren to perform maintenance and upgrades to the Minuteman III ICBMs in a secure facility, and construction of a new National Guard Readiness Center in Laramie to replace one built in the 1950s.

Nationally, the NDAA would extend a ban on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S., make substantial reforms to improve the value and efficiency of the military heath care system and update defense acquisition regulations to achieve better value for taxpayers.

Before becoming law, the Senate-passed NDAA must be reconciled with similar legislation passed in the House and be signed by the president.