Senator Cortez Masto Passes National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Strategic Insights -

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 passed the Senate with strong support from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), who voted to fund the U.S. military and strengthen national defense. The defense bill includes legislation to restrict the fentanyl supply chain, funding for Nevada military installations, pay raises for service members, and measures to counter the Chinese Communist Party. Senator Cortez Masto emphasized the importance of supporting service members and their families, stating that the legislation will help crack down on international drug trafficking, stand up to China, and support allies abroad while increasing pay for service members and delivering vital funding to Nevada's military bases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY2024 NDAA includes a 5.2% pay raise for both military service members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees.
  • Senator Cortez Masto cosponsored the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, which strengthens current law to stop international drug traffickers from bringing deadly fentanyl into Nevada communities.
  • The defense bill allocates $6.2 million for the construction of a new F-35 hangar and a data lab at Nellis Air Force Base.
  • Funding is also allocated for the Nevada Fallon Range Training Complex at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon ($29 million) and Creech Air Force Base ($32 million) for vital trainings and military construction.
  • The bill provides robust support to combat the threat of forever chemicals (PFAS) on military bases, including funding to treat contaminated areas and study the long-term impacts of PFAS on water supplies.
  • A feasibility study on the National Guard State Partnership Program will be conducted to leverage resources across states and the private sector to advance this critical program.
  • Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion for service members and their families, veterans, and allies, having secured the expansion of the Fallon Range Training Complex and the passage of the PACT Act, among other legislation.

Statistics:

  • 5.2% pay raise for both military service members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees.
  • $6.2 million allocated for the construction of a new F-35 hangar and a data lab at Nellis Air Force Base.
  • $29 million allocated for the Nevada Fallon Range Training Complex at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon.
  • $32 million allocated for Creech Air Force Base.
  • $61.9 million allocated for the Nevada Test Site.
  • $80 million allocated for renovations, maintenance, and new facilities at the Nevada National Security Site.

Sources:

  • "Cortez Masto Passes Annual Defense Bill with Critical Measures to Crack Down on Fentanyl, Support Service Members and Nevada Military Installations" (July 28, 2023), cortezmasto.senate.gov.
  • National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Summary), NDAA.gov.