George Woolston Burlington County Times USA TODAY NETWORK - 

The $732 billion bill that sets spending and policy for the U.S. military has passed the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday with bipartisan support.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) received bipartisan support by passing 335-78, with a total of 140 Republicans and 195 Democrats backing the bill, the Associated Press reported.

South Jersey lawmakers consider several provisions in the bill big wins for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Among those wins include a 3% pay raise for all military personnel, slowing down of the retirement of KC-10 tankers jets over the next three years to ensure their replacement, the KC-46 tanker jets, arrive 100% ready to go at the end of 2021, and authorizing two constructions projects on the base.

“We live in an uncertain world with persistent, credible threats to our nation and our democracy, so it is more important than ever that we support our men and women in uniform and ensure the readiness and modernization of our nation’s armed forces while spending our valuable resources wisely,” U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross said in a statement following the bill’s passing.

Norcross, D-1 of Camden, serves as the chair of the tactical air and land forces (TAL) subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee.

Norcross, along with fellow New Jersey lawmakers U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3 of Mooreston, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherill, D-11 of Montclair, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4 of Hamilton, all worked to ensure the security of the Joint Base’s future.

The bill authorizes $37 million total for construction projects on the base — $22 million for a Munitions Storage Area and $15 million for a National Guard Readiness Center. In addition to slowing down the KC-10 tankers and ensuring the new KC-46 tankers arrival, the bill also restricts the premature retirement of KC-135 Stratotankers operated by the New Jersey National Guard.

“The missions of the active duty 305th Air Mobility Wing and its sister Air Force Reserve 514th Air Mobility Wing, as well as the NJ Air National Guard’s 108 Air Refueling Wing, have never been more important,” Smith said in a statement.

The Senate passed the measure by a 84-13 margin on Friday.

 On Tuesday, hours before the House voted to pass the bill, President Donald Trump threatened to veto the bill unless it ends protections for internet companies that shield them from being held liable for material posted by their users.

However, the bill has received more than enough bipartisan support to ensure an override of the President’s veto.

George Woolston is a South Jersey native who covers several topics for the Burlington County Times. He joined the staff in 2019.