Henrico Times

May 22, 2024

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee, voted in favor of advancing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The bill passed out of committee with a vote of 57-1.

Following his vote, Rep. Wittman stated: “During this time of global unrest, it is more important than ever that the U.S. military is equipped to counter America's emboldened adversaries. This year's National Defense Authorization Act addresses the Biden administration's failed policies that have weakened our national defense.”

Wittman highlighted that the budget authorization aligns with the debt ceiling agreement at $849.8 billion. He emphasized strategic investments aimed at equipping warfighters and accelerating innovative defense systems production to deter China, weaken Russia, and combat Iran.

“This mark includes many of my top priorities,” Wittman said, noting funding for service members' children's education, electronic warfare capabilities, affordable munitions, restoring a second Virginia-class submarine cut by the Biden administration, and expediting technology adoption into defense systems.

“The impacts of this year's NDAA will secure and protect the United States and our allies. I thank my fellow House Armed Services Committee members for their work in crafting this critical legislation,” he added.

HASC Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) praised Wittman's leadership: “As chairman of the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, Rep. Wittman has continually fought to ensure our military has what it needs to stay ahead of our adversaries.”

The bill encompasses several key areas:

Taking Care of Troops and Families:

- Countering Overlooked Base Impact Aid (COBIA) Act.

- Revitalizing the Troops to Teachers program.

- Addressing DoD civilian recruitment and retention shortfalls.

Bolstering Tactical Aviation Forces:

- Corrective actions for Joint Strike Fighter program.

- Increasing F-35 aircraft production.

- Authorizing future procurement of F-15EX fighter aircraft.

- Supporting 6th Generation combat aircraft development.

- Accelerating unmanned air systems technology development.

Protecting Forward Deployed Forces:

- Creating an Electronic Warfare Center of Excellence within DoD.

- Establishing Drone Corps as a branch of U.S. Army.

- Expanding counter-unmanned aerial vehicle forces.

Strengthening Navy:

- Restoring a second Virginia-class submarine.

- Increasing funding for Ford-class aircraft carrier production.

- Developing unmanned undersea vehicles.

Spurring Defense Innovation:

-DOD Entrepreneurial Innovation Act supporting small businesses.

-Recruiting scientists and engineers for defense innovation.

-Grants greater authority to DoD to adopt new technology rapidly.

Preparing for Space Battlefield Expansion:

-Authorizing Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR).

-Requiring assessments from National Reconnaissance Office on data sharing effectiveness.

Supporting Military Installations’ Infrastructure:

-Assessing stormwater impacts from installations

Ensuring resilience while conserving natural resources

Boosting Military Readiness:

-Prohibiting foreign-sourced energetic materials until domestic capacity is reached

-Decontamination plans for chemical threats

-Improvements in data management tools

Countering China’s Growing Military Aggression:

-Efforts against China's overseas basing

-Public-private collaboration to prevent control over strategic assets

-Prohibition on illicit Chinese vaporware sales on bases

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