Aiken Times

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Joe Wilson, Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024:

     "I was grateful to have joined my Republican and Democrat colleagues in passing this critical legislation that advances peace through strength, in a bipartisan manner for the 63rd consecutive fiscal year. This year's NDAA represents the ongoing commitment my colleagues and I have for our national security, servicemembers, veterans, and their families. As a Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Second District of South Carolina and will continue to work hard every day to keep Americans safe and help make our lives and communities stronger.  

     “Our military has already succeeded in bringing together people of all backgrounds to serve in the United States Armed Forces and uphold the Constitution. Our military readiness depends on the rejection of divisive and unnecessary programs to promote certain agendas. Along with my Republican colleagues, we were able to successfully add language that targets the “wokeness” in our military. Additionally, this NDAA provides a path back to service for servicemembers discharged for those who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

     “Congress has a duty to ensure our Armed Forces are prepared to face the threats of now and tomorrow, and this NDAA not only prioritizes increasing our capability, but it also ensures that our servicemembers are taken care of both professionally and personally. This year’s NDAA supports strategic deterrence initiatives, modernization of our critical weapons systems, and most importantly, the needs of service members and their families. It also supports funding for critical missions at Savannah River Site. 

     "Many of the initiatives I have championed this Congress are in this year's NDAA, including language to enhance readiness and modernization within our military, increase pay for servicemembers, modernize our nuclear triad for defense, supporting military families with special needs, funding research for our universities, and securing jobs throughout the district.

     "Military families are the strong foundation of the nation's military, which is why I am focused on ensuring servicemembers and their families continue to receive the benefits they deserve. This NDAA provides a 5.2 percent pay increase.

     "As a veteran and father of four sons who have served in the military overseas, I appreciate these victories for our military and am committed to continuing to work for our servicemembers and their families. I am thankful to have worked with my colleagues to pass this important, bipartisan legislation."

Highlights of the FY24 NDAA

Savannah River Site (SRS)

• Includes funding authorizations for the missions of the Savannah River Site, including for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility and modernization of our nuclear triad.
• Supports funding for the Tritium Finishing Facility and adds a deadline of December 31st, 2035, for the facility to commence operations, which prevents any unnecessary delays.
• Authorizes funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PiLT) to support schools, emergency services, and county operations in counties surrounding Savannah River Site.

Caring for our Military Servicemembers and their Families

• Supports a 5.2% increase in servicemember basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years to combat inflation.
• Expands Basic Needs Allowance to assist low-income servicemembers supporting a family.
• Authorizes over $240 million to reduce servicemember out-of-pocket housing expenses and counteract the skyrocketing cost of rent due to inflation.
• Includes Congressman Wilson’s efforts to support military families with special needs by ensuring providers meet standards needed to serve our exceptional families as they transition through stations of duty.

Military Readiness

• Increases funding for military exercises ensuring the U.S. military is prepared to fight in any theater.
• Supports funding for Defense Research Projects at South Carolina Universities.
• Increases investment in the Army Ammunition Plants to expand domestic munition production capacity.
• Prevents the Biden Administration from retiring certain weapons systems that are still useful.

Department of Defense Support for Border Security

• Directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to inform Congress on how it will utilize, transfer, or donate to border states unused border wall materials for further construction of a border barrier.
• Fully funds the National Guard’s operation and maintenance account to support a border deployment.
• Provides an additional $15 million over the President’s request to enable U.S. Northern Command to improve drug interdiction, including fentanyl shipments from China.
• Provides an additional $25 million over the President’s request for the National Guard to work with local law enforcement agencies in efforts to disrupt and degrade illicit drug production and trafficking.

Promoting Defense Research and Development Cooperation between the United States and Israel

• Adds $50 million above the President’s budget request to research and develop advanced technology with Israel, which has benefitted the U.S., including at our border.
• Requires Central Command to engage in regular, joint, and interoperable, exercises with Israel to practice and simulate coalition strikes, refueling, and other missions.
• Expands DoD’s annual reporting requirements on Iran's military power to add new threats facing Israel, including Iranian advancements in space.

Original source can be found here