December 12, 2011
WASHINGTON -- Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, announced today that the committee has completed its conference of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).

"The conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 which was adopted today enables the Congress to pass this Act for the fiftieth consecutive year. Although the conference agreement authorizes $26.6 billion less than the budget request, I am confident that it provides adequate support for the men and women of the armed forces and their families and provides them with the means to accomplish their missions," Senator Levin said.

"The conference report approved this evening is vitally important to our nation's defense, provides for our men and women in uniform, and ensures that our military has the essential resources, training, technology and equipment to succeed in protecting our national security interests around the world," said Senator McCain. "This legislation is the product of 11 months of hard work and hundreds of hours of hearings and meetings by House and Senate members and staff. I am proud of the bipartisan spirit that has once again characterized this process, and allowed us to address some difficult issues, including terrorist detainees, Iran sanctions, the F-35 program and aid to Pakistan. The fact that all 26 members of the conference committee have signed on to this bill shows that there is bipartisan agreement that this legislation addresses and satisfies the Administration's concerns related to the detainee provisions that were fully debated in Congress in recent weeks. I deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of my friend Chairman Levin, whose leadership has been essential to continuing the tradition of deliberate review and oversight that the Defense Authorization Bill has provided our nation's military for over fifty years without fail."

Senator Levin added, "I want to commend my Senate partner Senator McCain for his hard work and cooperation. I am particularly pleased that we have dealt successfully with the difficult issues relating to detainees, Iran sanctions, counterfeit electronic parts, F-35 contracting, and a host of additional matters that are discussed below. The detainee provisions in particular have been written to be doubly sure there is no interference with civilian interrogations and other law enforcement activities and to ensure the President has the flexibility he needs to use the most appropriate tools in each case."

Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc.
Contact: ara Andringa (Levin) 202-228-3685

Brian Rogers (McCain) 202-224-7130