Rep. Don Bacon on NDAA Passage
WASHINGTON – Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska’s 2nd District has voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has successfully passed with a bipartisan majority of 310 to 118. The NDAA plays a crucial role in ensuring American military superiority year after year.
In his statement, Rep. Bacon emphasized that the FY24 NDAA is a triumph for the service members and their families, who will receive the largest pay increase in two decades. Additionally, the bill aims to modernize and prepare the military for the various threats faced by the nation, including recent terror attacks in Israel, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and concerns related to China.
Here are some key features of the 2024 NDAA:
– It authorizes $886 billion for national defense, with significant investments in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, space, autonomous systems, and hypersonic weapons. This amount aligns with the agreed-upon defense discretionary spending as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
– The bill fully funds the modernization of the aging nuclear weapons enterprise, ensuring the effective and reliable maintenance of America’s nuclear deterrent.
– It authorizes a 5.2 percent pay increase for service members, expands eligibility for a supplemental basic needs allowance, and enhances access to childcare.
– Notably, the 2024 NDAA provides a path for the reinstatement of the 8,000 discharged service members who were dismissed due to their failure to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Moreover, Rep. Bacon’s efforts have resulted in several additional provisions included in the 2024 NDAA:
– An authorization of $10 million for the USSTRATCOM’s nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) rapid engineering architecture collaboration hub (REACH) initiative at Offutt AFB.
– An allocation of $41 million for constructing a backup electric power micro-grid at Offutt AFB.
– A budget increase of $50 million for expediting the integration of SABRE mission capability into the EA-37B Compass Call replacement aircraft.
– A directive for the establishment of a major defense acquisition program for Nuclear Command, Control and Communications.
– A direction for the Secretary of Defense to collaborate with a university-affiliated research center to study multipolar strategic deterrence.
– A requirement for the Secretary of the Air Force to develop a future force design for the Department of the Air Force.
– A mandate for the Secretary of Defense to implement an action plan to provide air, missile, and counter-drone defensive capabilities to Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces facing threats from Iran and its proxies.
– An authorization for a cost-plus contract structure for the construction of the first three Sentinel Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) replacement launch facilities.
– A directive for the consideration of small-business affiliates’ past performance in the evaluation and selection of defense contracts.
– An extension of the authority of the Secretary of Defense to provide inflation-adjusted payments for defense contracts.
The passing of the NDAA reflects the commitment to safeguard the nation’s security and armed forces, addressing critical issues and ensuring adequate resources for defense modernization. The bill’s passage signifies bipartisan collaboration and a focused approach to meet the challenges faced by the United States on multiple fronts.
