Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), voted Thursday morning in favor of advancing H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 57 – 1. This annual legislation, which contains multiple amendments and provisions authored by Bacon, authorizes defense spending, and sets the policy and priorities for our military. Overall, the bill authorizes a total of $850 billion for national defense.
“Russia’s savage invasion of Ukraine is a clear reminder why America must maintain a strong defense. I am grateful for the bipartisan work of the House Armed Services Committee in crafting responsible legislation to advance our national security and support our servicemembers and families,” said Bacon. “Like last year, a strong bipartisan majority of committee members rejected the Biden Administration’s proposed budget request and instead voted to keep defense spending level with inflation.”
“Rep. Don Bacon’s decades of leadership in the U.S. Air Force has made him an invaluable member of the House Armed Services Committee,” said Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-AL). “Thanks to Rep. Bacon’s hard work, the FY23 NDAA strengthens our military and keeps our nation safe.”
Highlights from Committee’s FY 2023 NDAA include:
Fully funds the modernization of America’s aging nuclear deterrent forces
Bolsters military force readiness in Europe and the Indo-Pacific regions
Authorizes increases to military and civilian pay including targeted bonus to offset inflation
In addition, the committee’s bill contains numerous legislative proposals sponsored by Bacon, including:
Authorizes $360 million to complete remaining flood reconstruction at Offutt Air Force Base
Directs procurement of four EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft
Authorizes mission system upgrades to the RC-135
Authorizes funding for USSTRATCOM’s Rapid Engineering Architecture Collaboration Hub (REACH) initiative
Authorizes funding to continue a pilot program advancing civilian-military partnerships for national medical surge capacity
Authorizes conveyance of the Marine Reserve Training Center in Omaha to Metro Community College
Authorizes increases to servicemember bonus and special pay
Directs the Department of Defense to establish a Warfighter Brain Health Initiative to unify brain injury programs across the Armed Forces
Authorizes increased funding for the Baltic Security Initiative
Directs the Department of Defense to end reliance on Russian energy at U.S. bases in Europe
Directs the Department of Defense to provide standardized credentials to Department law enforcement officers at no cost
Original source can be found here.
