ndaa conference report, authorization levels secured by the stalwart leadership of chairman john minnesota kaine and our colleagues on the armed services committee. so what does this mean for our men and women in uniform? it means putting a stop to the decline in combat readiness. it means knowing their weapon systems will be delivered, maintained, and kept on the cutting edge. take it from secretary mattis. yesterday, he explained just what this agreement will do. here's how he put it. it will ensure our military can defend our way of life, preserve the promise of prosperity, and pass on the freedoms you and i enjoy to the next generation. our volunteer service members aren't the only americans this agreement will help. it also builds on the progress we have made for veterans and military families by providing for better care and helping cut the v.a.'s maintenance backlog. it offers reinforcements to families on the frontlines of our nation's struggle with opioid addiction and substance abuse. according to the c.d.c., opioid overdose deaths increased five-fold just between 1999 and 2016. on ave