On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This annually reauthorized legislation commits $847 billion to defend our shores and support our men and women in uniform.
“The National Defense Authorization Act is the most important piece of policy for the defense of our nation and our families. It represents an unyielding commitment to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces and sends a clear message to our adversaries that the United States remains the military and economic superpower of the world,” said Rep. Feenstra. “In this year’s NDAA, I was proud to vote to increase pay for our servicemembers by 4.6%, repeal the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for our troops, and increase defense spending by $45 billion more than was requested by President Biden. As a proud American, I will always provide our troops with the resources and support they need to protect our interests and promote freedom around the world.”
Among many provisions, the National Defense Authorization Act:
- Rescinds the Department of Defense’s nonsensical COVID mandates for our troops, which has caused a massive recruiting crisis
- Permanently prohibits servicemembers from being dishonorably discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine
- Increases servicemember pay by 4.6%.
- Boosts defense funding by $45 billion to counter the threats of China and Russia to world peace and national security.
- Includes $5 billion to maintain and expand our navy as nearly half our warships require repair to operate.
- Bans government contractors from using Chinese-made semiconductors.
- Maintains the status quo of keeping the worst terrorists at GTMO.
- Does not require women to register for the draft.
- Bans Uighur salve labor-made items in our military.
- Extends the reimbursement authority for spouse relicensing costs.
- Requires the DOD to establish a comprehensive initiative for brain health to improve cognitive performance and brain health of servicemembers.
- Prevents the Biden Administration from inviting China to the largest naval exercise (RIMPAC) until China stops committing genocide in Xinjiang and prevents the Department of Defense (DOD) from selling products made by Uighur slave labor at commissaries.
- Includes a 5-year extension of prohibition on military-to-military cooperation between the U.S. and Russia.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan for missile defense in the Middle East to protect Israel and our Arab partners from Iran.
You can find more policy prescriptions from this year’s NDAA provided by the office of Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, HERE.
