President Trump is scheduled to travel to Fort Drum on Monday to sign a $717 billion annual defense policy bill aimed at rebuilding the military, according to a senior White House official.
The base in upstate New York, home to the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, will serve as the backdrop as Trump turns the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and its sprawling policy provisions into law.
Congress passed the legislation last week as part of the final installment of a two-year budget deal that hikes defense spending. The NDAA also reforms space operations by creating a new sub-unified military command, even as the president has ordered the creation of an entirely new military service branch dedicated to space.
Other NDAA provisions will temporarily suspend F-35 Joint Strike Fighter sales to NATO ally Turkey over the detainment of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, and will bolster U.S. forces in Europe aimed at deterring Russia.
The Fort Drum trip was first disclosed earlier this week by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., whose district includes the Army base.
“I am honored that President Trump has accepted my invitation to visit Fort Drum and the brave men and women of the 10th Mountain Division on Monday,” Stefanik said in a statement. “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the chair of the subcommittee on emerging threats and capabilities, I am honored that the president will sign the historic National Defense Authorization Act in our district at Fort Drum.”
Stefanik extended the invite to Trump in March.
White House reporter Gabby Morrongiello contributed to this report.
