WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., gave the following statement today after voting in support of the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation passed 269-151:

“Arizona scored a win in today’s passage of the NDAA. I was proud to vote for full funding of the A-10 Warthog and EC-130H Compass Call, two aircraft important to southern Arizona and our national security. While this funding is an important step, it is not a final one. We must continue to assess future attempts to phase out these aircraft, which are stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and are uniquely equipped to protect our troops.

“I was also pleased the NDAA passed with bipartisan support. At a time when global threats are mounting, we must stand together and ensure our military is strong and our servicemembers are equipped to succeed.”