WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN-08) voted in support of the final version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670). H.R. 2670 passed the House by a vote of 310-118 and now moves to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, as the United States Senate had already passed H.R. 2670 by a vote of 87-13 on December 13, 2023. Dr. Bucshon released the statement below following his vote:
“America has the most effective military in the world because of the extraordinary strength of our soldiers and their families,” said Dr. Bucshon. “I was honored to join my colleagues in voting for the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 which will provide our troops with the necessary foundation of policies and resources to successfully defend our nation. Today, there are numerous threats to our national security around the globe and we must be able to meet these challenges. Russian President Vladimir Putin is plotting a new Russian empire, Hamas continues to attack Israel, and U.S. personnel in the Middle East have faced over 90 attacks from Iran-backed groups since October. Passing this legislation to bolster our military and ensure America’s warfighters can continue to protect our freedoms is more important than ever. I am proud to support the brave men and women of the United States military.”
BACKGROUND
The National Defense Authorization Act establishes a blueprint of our military’s spending and provides guidance on defense policy and funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. This year’s NDAA will:
Support servicemembers and their families:
- Includes a 5.2% increase in basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years.
- Modifies the Basic Allowance for Housing to increase reimbursement for junior enlisted servicemembers amid soaring rental rates.
- Authorizes a monthly bonus for junior enlisted members to counter the effects of inflation.
- Expands reimbursements for relicensing or business costs for military spouses.
- Includes $280M for the construction of new schools for military children, and an additional $153M over the President’s budget request for the construction of new childcare centers.
- Improves access to mental health services and treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
- Requires a report on health conditions developed in active-duty members following administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Requires the DoD to correct personnel files of servicemembers discharged for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine so that they receive the full benefits in retirement.
Rein in Democrat efforts to inject wokeness into the military:
- Includes a Parents’ Bill of Rights at DoD schools.
- Prohibits teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military.
- Eliminates the Pentagon’s Countering Extremism Working Group.
- Implements a hiring freeze and pay cap on the Pentagon’s DEI programs.
- Does not authorize climate change programs.
- Prohibits DoD from issuing new greenhouse gas rules on defense contractors.
Support allies and partners:
- Extends authority for the transfer of weapons systems, as well as precision-guided munitions to Israel.
- Authorizes joint military research with Israel, including directed energy missile defense technologies.
- Requires CENTCOM to hold interoperable exercises with Israel and requires that DoD allow Israel to participate in NATO pilot training programs.
- Funds the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.
- Provides for the implementation of the AUKUS agreement.
- Strengthens training and advising for the military forces of Taiwan.
Strengthen readiness and lethality:
- Prevents the retirement of capabilities with remaining service life, including 4 battleships and additional F-22, KC-135, E-3, and C-130 aircraft.
- Prohibits the reduction of the number of ICBM’s to below 400 and limits the retirement of certain nuclear weapons.
- Prohibits the sourcing of operational energy from Russia or China, or entities owned by Russia or China.
- Creates a grant program to expand capacity of shipyards.
- Establishes multi-year procurement authority for the APL and Virginia Class submarine, in addition to critical munitions.
- Fully funds modernization of the nuclear triad.
Counter adversarial threats:
- Includes increased funding for military construction and logistics capabilities necessary in the Indo-Pacific.
- Increases funding for innovative technologies like AI and autonomous systems, necessary to deter the CCP.
- Prohibits DoD contracts with CCP-owned or controlled companies that operate in the US.
- Prohibits DoD from working with EcoHealth Alliance on research in China, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
- Prohibits funds to the Taliban and any affiliates, as well as the Iranian government.
- Requires a reassessment of posture by the Missile Defense Agency in light of North Korea’s ICBM developments.
Provide DoD support in securing the border:
- Requires DoD use or transfer border wall materials to border states.
- Calls for an interagency strategy to target, disrupt, and degrade threats posed by fentanyl trafficking to national security.
- Fully funds the deployment of National Guardsmen in support of Border Patrol activities.
Establish cuts and oversight:
- Cuts $37B in inefficient weapons systems, defense programs, and Pentagon bureaucracy.
- Establishes a Special Inspector General to oversee and monitor security assistance going to Ukraine.
- Requires that all DoD agencies and components pass an audit by the end of 2028, cutting funds for those that fail to do so by 1.5%.
Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. represents Indiana’s 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives and is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
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