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Senate Passes James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued a statement after the Senate passed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The FY 2023 NDAA was named in honor of Senator Inhofe (R-OK) to commemorate his 35 years of public service in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The NDAA invests in national security, funds North Dakota's military assets and missions, and emphasizes nuclear modernization programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY 2023 NDAA was passed with a vote of 23-3 in the Senate Armed Services Committee and has been conferenced with the House Armed Services Committee.
  • The bill provides for the common defense, investing in national security and supporting brave service members and their families.
  • Senator Cramer secured several amendments to strengthen the NDAA, including allowing the Department of Defense (DoD) to modify contracts to address rising costs due to record-high inflation and supply chain issues.
  • The bill includes funding for North Dakota's military assets and missions at Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier, as well as support for the state's National Guard and the entire North Dakota military community.
  • The FY 2023 NDAA emphasizes nuclear modernization programs and protects the strategic deterrent to keep pace with adversaries.
  • Senator Cramer's amendments also retained leadership positions at the Space Development Agency (SDA) and removed the current cap on how many excess planes the DoD can transfer to other federal agencies.
  • The bill supports the DoD by increasing the topline authorization to $45 billion above what the administration requested.
  • The FY 2023 NDAA strengthens the all-volunteer force through a 4.6 percent pay raise, increases in impact aid and basic needs allowance thresholds, and additional funding for recruiting and retention efforts.
  • The bill provides resources needed to deter and defeat adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and violent extremist organizations.
  • Senator Cramer's amendments also enhanced deterrence by recapitalizing and modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad and strengthening nonproliferation programs.

Statistics:

  • The FY 2023 NDAA is a $858 billion bill to provide for the national defense of the United States.
  • The bill provides funding for:

+ Minot Air Force Base: $3.6 billion for Sentinel (Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD)) modernization, $735 million for B-52 commercial engine replacement program (CERP) and radar modernization, and $39 million for the Nuclear Command, Control and Communication (NC3) program.

+ Grand Forks AFB: Directs the Secretary of Defense to review and make a recommendation for SDA to implement middle-tier acquisition authority (MTA) and directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing on the transition of SDA to the Space Force.

+ Cavalier Space Force Station: Adds $3 million for Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) modernization.

+ North Dakota Army National Guard and Air National Guard: Provides for the backdating of effective date of rank for reserve officers in the National Guard and directs the Secretary of the Air Force to study the work-life balance of drone operators and their health and welfare.

  • The bill authorizes assignment pay or special duty pay for service members stationed in extreme climate locations.

Sources:

  • [Senator Cramer's statement after the Senate passed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023]
  • [Senate Armed Services Committee]
  • [House Armed Services Committee]
  • [NDAA for Fiscal Year 2023]

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