Congressional passage of the National Defense Authorization Act has received support from local lawmakers.

Senate approval of the $738 million spending bill Tuesday comes a week after the House passed the measure 377-48.

“I was proud to support the NDAA reauthorization to continue strengthening our military and standing up for the men and women who serve our nation,” U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, said. “This bill provides a raise for our troops, creates the Space Force, and takes constructive steps on combatting certain PFAS chemicals. I’ll continue working with my colleagues and President Trump to make sure our forces have what they need to keep us safe at home and abroad.”

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, also voted in favor of the legislation.

He could not be reached for comment.

The defense bill is part of a new bipartisan budget deal that fills in the details for $1.4 billion across government for the year.

“Congress has an obligation to ensure that our military has the resources necessary to respond to any threat to American security. I am pleased that the NDAA builds on the progress we’ve made in recent years to achieve this goal,” U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville, said. “Among the numerous positive provisions included in the NDAA are two that I led in the Senate. The first is the bipartisan Otto Warmbier BRINK Act that expands sanctions on the North Korean economy in response to Pyongyang’s dangerous missile program and its flagrant disregard for human rights. The second will improve public awareness regarding of the potential risks posed by PFAS.

“The NDAA also includes a measure I supported that provides our government with the tools to sanction illicit opioid manufacturers, cartels, and the banks that finance them. This will help to combat the flow of deadly fentanyl into our country. However, the omission of a separate bipartisan measure I authored to withhold certain aid from any foreign government failing to cooperate with our government in reducing illicit fentanyl trafficking is a missed opportunity.”

Also supporting the bill was U.S. Rep. Robert Casey, D-Scranton.

The bill reaffirms that the U.S. maintain a minimum of 11 aircraft carriers and provides the initial appropriations for the midlife refueling of the USS Harry S. Truman.

In addition, it provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees for birth, adoption and fostering.