Henrico Times

Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has signed the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. This conferenced NDAA includes significant victories that Rep. Wittman advocated for, allowing the U.S. military to modernize its weapons systems in response to the increasing military aggression of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Indo-Pacific.

In a statement, Rep. Wittman expressed his satisfaction with the conferenced version of the NDAA, stating, "As America faces unprecedented threats from adversaries across the globe, we are stepping up to provide our military with the tools and resources it needs to maintain American dominance and to remain the most lethal fighting force in the world. I'm pleased to see the conferenced version of this year's NDAA includes many of my provisions to support our military families through mental health resources, boost defense innovation, ensure accountability in foreign security aid, and strengthen our naval fleet."

As the chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, Rep. Wittman plays a crucial role in overseeing the military's modernization efforts and is involved in shaping the annual NDAA. He was appointed a core conferee to negotiate the House and Senate versions of the NDAA, and his priorities were successfully incorporated into the final agreement.

Some of the key provisions championed by Rep. Wittman include the enhancement of U.S. Tactical Air and Land Forces. This includes doubling Army ground modernization by authorizing appropriations for additional Abrams tanks, Stryker vehicles, and Paladin howitzers. The Joint Strike Fighter and NGAD engine modernization will also be accelerated, while combat relevant F-22 Block 20 aircraft will not be retired early.

The NDAA also addresses the need to counter CCP aggression by implementing the AUKUS agreement between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. It authorizes the eventual transfer and sale of Virginia-class attack submarines to Australia and increases funding for innovative technologies to deter the CCP on future battlefields.

Furthermore, the NDAA prioritizes the well-being of service members and military families by authorizing license portability for mental health professionals and providing resources for non-medical counseling services.

The conference report also focuses on cultivating defense innovation by establishing the Office of Strategic Capital and a pilot program to provide loans for emerging technologies. The Defense Innovation Unit will be codified as a principal staff assistant to the Secretary of Defense, allowing for better integration of private sector innovation into the Department of Defense.

To ensure military and industrial base readiness, the NDAA prohibits the decommissioning of battle force ships with remaining service life and establishes a grant program to expand capacity at private shipyards. It also increases investment in domestic munition production capacity and assesses ways to increase stockpiles of rare earth minerals.

In terms of oversight and accountability, a Special Inspector General will be created to oversee all U.S. security assistance to Ukraine and investigate any instances of waste, fraud, abuse, corruption, or diversion of weapons.

The NDAA also addresses various other important issues such as securing America's border by targeting fentanyl trafficking, defending Israel by considering the deployment of refueling tanker aircraft, and strengthening strategic deterrence by establishing the nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile as an official program of record.

Rep. Wittman's leadership and advocacy have ensured that the FY24 NDAA Conference Report includes significant wins for national security, defense innovation, and the well-being of service members and military families. This comprehensive legislation will enable the U.S. military to maintain its dominance and effectively counter the increasing threats posed by adversaries like the CCP.

To find out more, go to this link: https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5401