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Legislative bills

House Democrats Secure Key Investments in Military Community and American Competitiveness

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

House Democrats have secured a range of critical provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA), which has just passed the Senate. The legislation strengthens America's security, meets the needs of servicemembers, veterans, and military families, and bolsters the country's defense technology. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) hailed the bill as a "bold action" to protect members of the Armed Forces, with its provisions supporting the defense industrial base, strengthening supply chains, and addressing the threat of climate change.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY22 NDAA authorizes historic investments in the country's diverse fighting force, innovation, and emerging technologies to strengthen national defense institutions and processes.
  • The bill provides a 2.7 percent pay increase for servicemembers, makes significant changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assault and related crimes, and invests in Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  • Congressman Norcross secured funding for five additional V-22 Ospreys, which will be manufactured in the region, and $170 million for new KC-46A tankers, protecting family-sustaining jobs in the district.
  • The legislation also provides $100 million for the AESA radar for the Air National Guard's F-16 fleet, $8 million for high performance polymer research, $8 million for rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic, and $5 million for turret gunner survivability research.
  • The FY22 NDAA continues aggressive oversight of DOD's most complex and expensive weapons programs, authorizes 2 weeks of paid parental bereavement leave for all federal employees, and addresses the threat of climate change and bolsters energy resiliency.

Statistics:

  • $170 million in funding for new KC-46A tankers
  • $100 million for the AESA radar for the Air National Guard's F-16 fleet
  • $8 million for high performance polymer research
  • $8 million for rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic
  • $5 million for turret gunner survivability research
  • 2.7 percent pay increase for servicemembers
  • 2 weeks of paid parental bereavement leave for all federal employees

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

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