WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2670, the bipartisan, bicameral Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY24 NDAA) by a vote of 310-118. 
 
“For 63 consecutive years, the NDAA has served as the foundation for our national security priorities, fulfilling Congress’ sacred obligation to provide for the common defense. Today’s passage underscores our ironclad commitment to the people who bravely serve our country and their families, and our unshakable resolve to provide for a strong national security and national defense. Thanks to the leadership of House Democrats, this year’s annual defense bill supports the Biden Administration’s proposed 5.2 percent pay raise for service members and invests billions of dollars in other key quality of life issues including housing, child care, career opportunities, and health care. It also authorizes a record $150 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), helping ensure we can continue to recruit the strongest and most diverse applicants to serve in the United States Armed Forces.
 
“It reaffirms our commitments to our allies and partners by resourcing both the European and Pacific Deterrence Initiatives and enabling key pillars of the AUKUS trilateral security agreement, allowing Australia to give over $3 billion to the U.S. to enhance our defense industrial base. This sends a clear message to the world amid challenges from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and violent extremist organizations. It continues Democrats’ commitment to addressing climate change by promoting clean energy with the authorization of $650 million in energy resilience and energy conservation projects and prioritizes investments in innovation and technology to ensure the U.S. stays at the cutting edge of emerging technologies. It also maintains rigorous oversight and authorizes the divestment of legacy programs that are no longer effective.
 
“Importantly, this bill rejects harmful provisions included in the bill House Republicans pushed forward in July that attacked essential reproductive and LGBTQ+ health care for service members and their families, undermined President Biden’s executive orders on climate change, and would have drastically expanded the Department of Defense program that provides military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.
 
“This bill is far from perfect—it reflects hard fought compromise in a time of extreme partisan gridlock, and it provides for a strong national defense that advances U.S. priorities at home and abroad.”

A copy of the text of the FY24 NDAA be found here.
 
A summary of the FY24 NDAA can be found here.