May 22, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee approved H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Investment Act and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, by a bipartisan vote of 57 to one.
“Thanks to the dedication and bipartisan spirit of the Quality of Life Panel, and especially the leadership of Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Don Bacon, this year’s defense bill prioritizes the heart of America’s national defense by investing in people—the service members and their families making enormous sacrifices so that we are safe, the workers powering America’s defense industrial base, the civil servants across the Department of Defense working tirelessly to protect our country, and the scientists and researchers building the technologies of the future. They are the heart of America’s defense.
“By authorizing a 19.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members as well as over $17.5 billion for military construction projects—including $1.15 billion to improve the condition of housing across the military—we are ensuring we can continue to recruit and retain the most talented and diverse military and civilian workforce.
“This year’s bill also prioritizes innovation and modernization to help strengthen America’s industrial base and improve readiness. It authorizes $143.3 billion in research, development test, and evaluation – including $16.7 billion for science and technology programs – and authorizes investments in tactical air and land forces capabilities and seapower and projection forces capabilities across the munitions enterprise to increase capacity and accelerate development of key weapon systems and programs. That includes $32.4 billion in shipbuilding funding for the procurement of six battle force ships, including restoring authorization for a second Virginia-class submarine to maintain the two-per-year build rate.
“It further ensures robust oversight and divests of aging legacy systems and programs allowing for investment in the fielding of more efficient and effective programs and systems. It also reaffirms America’s strong commitment to allies and partners as we continue to face enormous challenges and threats around the world that we cannot face alone.
“Perhaps most importantly this bill sends a critically important message to the American people that bipartisanship is still possible, and the members of this committee have a deep and abiding respect for the people who serve in our armed forces as well as a shared desire to ensure that we fulfill our congressional duty to provide for the common defense.
“As always, I thank Chairman Rogers for his leadership and look forward to our bipartisan collaboration as the NDAA advances to the House floor.”
Click here for an FY25 NDAA summary prepared by House Armed Services Committee Minority staff.
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