Henrico Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 15,2023, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) applauded the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), which will set the framework for America’s defense policy. The congressman’s legislation and amendments incorporated in the final bill will help accelerate emerging defense technologies that will strengthen the U.S. military to meet the current era of great power competition.

“After many hours of thoughtful debate, I am pleased to see Congress pass this critical piece of legislation to ensure the U.S. military is the most effective and lethal fighting force in the world,” Rep. Wittman said. “Congress passed a comprehensive bill that will advance military modernization, counter China’s increasing aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and support the well-being of our brave men and women in uniform – all while implementing efficient budget savings and accountability measures.”

The congressman played a critical role in crafting the bill as vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. 

He championed many provisions to counter Chinese aggression, implement responsible budget savings and reforms, increase oversight and accountability, support U.S. service members and their families, deter U.S. adversaries, and boost defense innovation.

This year’s NDAA reflects the following efforts by Rep. Wittman:

Countering Chinese Aggression and Deterring U.S. Adversaries

• Rep. Wittman sponsored an amendment to reject the Biden administration’s effort to shrink the Navy by requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to submit a plan to retain ships until the end of their expected service life or FY 2027.
• Rep. Wittman sponsored an amendment to expedite munitions deliveries to fill weapons backlogs to allies by establishing reserves of long-lead items.
• Provisions of Rep Wittman’s Autonomous Systems Adoption and Policy Act were adopted into the FY24 NDAA, accelerating autonomous technology and integration into current and future weapons systems.
• Rep. Wittman voted for an additional $75 million for collaborative combat aircraft, delivering on his recommendation to increase investment in the program.
• Rep. Wittman sponsored an amendment to mandate assessments of potential future conflict with China.
• Rep. Wittman sponsored an amendment to accelerate foreign military sales to our Indo-Pacific allies and partners.
• Rep. Wittman championed several energetics provisions, including limitations on Chinese constituent elements, expanding explosive key performance parameters for emerging weapons, and including cutting-edge energetic solutions in developing systems.

Increasing Oversight and Accountability

• Rep. Wittman championed enhanced reporting requirements and the establishment of a special inspector general to oversee aid to Ukraine, in line with his Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act.

Supporting U.S. Service Members and Their Families

• The COMFORT Act, co-led by Rep. Wittman, was adopted into the full bill. This will authorize additional mental health counseling services for military families.
• H.R.3011, cosponsored by Rep. Wittman, was included in the full bill. It will create a DoD task force on service member mental health improvement efforts. 
• The COBIA Act was also included in the full bill and will ensure local schools educating military service-connected children receive full federal impact aid support.  
• Rep. Wittman fought for a 5.2% increase in servicemember basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years.

Boosting Defense Innovation

• Rep. Wittman championed codifying the elevation of the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit. 
• The DOD Entrepreneurial Innovation Act, cosponsored by Rep. Wittman, was adopted into the full bill. It will require the secretary of each military department to identify promising Small Business Innovation Research programs for inclusion in future budgets.

Implementing Smart Budget Savings and Reforms

• Rep. Wittman supported saving taxpayers $40 billion without sacrificing national security.
• Rep. Wittman voted to cut over $5.8 billion in weapons programs that haven’t met development milestones.

Watch Rep. Wittman’s floor remarks in support of the bill here.

Original source can be found here