Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). Lucas supported the legislation.

“Without a doubt, the United States military is the greatest force for good the world has ever seen. Ensuring our Armed Forces have the authorities and resources they need to defend our nation and deter our adversaries is the greatest responsibility we have here in Congress- and tonight Congress is continuing its 61-year tradition of working together to pass a bipartisan, bicameral bill that supports our troops and strengthens America’s national security.

“The National Defense Authorization Act not only provides the necessary investments and resources to ensure our troops are best equipped and trained to defend our country; but it also puts our servicemembers and their families first, providing a nearly 3% pay raise for our troops and an expansion of benefits for families. Furthermore, with Russia and China remaining the greatest threats to democracies across the globe and rapidly modernizing their militaries, Congress must continue to make strong investments in new capabilities, emerging technologies, and readiness, and this bill enables our warfighters and the United States Department of Defense to do just that.

“I applaud Senator Inhofe and House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers for giving our Armed Services the support they deserve and for removing poison partisan provisions from the bill. I’m proud to support the brave men and women of the United States military- and those currently serving in Oklahoma- and I look forward to Congress continuing its work boosting defense spending and preparing our military for the conflicts of tomorrow.”

 

Background:

1. Boosts defense funding by $25 billion.

      – The NDAA increases authorized defense funding by $25 billion above President Biden’s woefully inadequate budget request.

      – This includes a $3.5 billion, or 35 percent, increase for military construction across the country and a $4.7 billion, or 20 percent, increase for shipbuilding, including five additional battle force ships.

 

2. Takes care of our troops.

   – The NDAA authorizes funding to support a 2.7 percent pay raise for both military service members and the Department of Defense civilian workforce.

   – The NDAA improves military health care, housing and leave policy.

   – The NDAA also supports military families, including ensuring that military spouses have access to meaningful employment when they move around the country.

 

3. Removes controversial provisions.

   – The final agreement does not include a provision that would have forced America’s daughters and granddaughters to register for the Selective Service.

   – The final agreement does not include a provision that includes red flag laws for active-duty servicemembers. 

 

4. Stays tough on China.

   – The NDAA directs much needed resources to the Indo-Pacific and reorients the Pacific Deterrence Initiative toward making real improvements to U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific to deter and, if necessary, defeat Chinese aggression.

   – The NDAA also supports key allies in the region, including Taiwan.

 

5. Stays tough on Russia.

   – The NDAA provides key support to Ukraine in the face of a possible Russian invasion by increasing funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative by $50 million above President Biden’s request, authorizing a total of $300 million for this purpose and guaranteeing $75 million for lethal assistance that will send a strong signal to Putin

  –  The agreement supports other key alliances in the region, like NATO.

 

6. Prioritizes nuclear modernization.

   – The NDAA includes strong bipartisan support for our nuclear deterrent, the cornerstone of our national security.

   – The legislation authorizes full funding for Department of Defense and National Nuclear Security Administration nuclear modernization programs, which our military commanders have called their “top priority.”

   – The agreement solidifies support for intercontinental ballistic missiles and the ground-based strategic deterrent program.

 

7. Maintains U.S. military supremacy.

   – The NDAA keeps the Department of Defense focused on its primary mission: national defense.

   – The agreement ensures our military has the equipment, training, weapons and resources needed to defend our country.

   – The NDAA provides new authorities to accelerate the military’s acquisition and adoption of advanced capabilities.

   – The agreement includes provisions to harden the defense industrial base and supply chain against Chinese and Russian involvement.

   – The NDAA creates a whole-of-government public-private partnership to detect and disrupt our adversaries’ cyber operations.

 

8. Pushes back on progressive provisions added to the NDAA.

   – The agreement rejects progressives’ attempts to paint service members as extremists, to use the NDAA to further their efforts for DC statehood, and to advance progressives’ social agenda.

   – The agreement prohibits service members from being dishonorably discharged for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

9. Stands for conservative values.

   – The agreement protects the sanctity of life, Second Amendment rights, and long-standing provisions that keep Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainees off American soil.

 

 

 

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