DeRemer: Key National Security Bill to counter China, disrupt illegal drug trade

By In the news
In: Uncategorized
Friday June 21, 2024


By Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (#5)

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025 (H.R. 8070). The House-passed NDAA provides support for service members and their families and protects the United States’ interests at home and abroad.

“From supporting military families to countering aggression from adversarial countries like China, this critical national security package continues to position the United States as a dominant force for peace and stability around the world,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “Congress has passed the NDAA on time for six decades because it plays a crucial role in protecting the American people, which will always be a top priority. Although this proposal isn’t perfect, it makes important, timely investments to support our service members, help our allies, and improve security along our own borders.”

Key Components of the House-passed NDAA for Fiscal Year 2025

Supporting Service Members and Their Families

  • Authorizes a 4.5 percent pay raise for service members
  • Improves the cost-of-living adjustment for service members to ensure it properly accounts for inflation
  • Authorizes over $693 million to build new family housing units
  • Authorizes over $204 million for the construction of new child care centers
  • Authorizes over $255 million to build new schools for children of service members
  • Establishes a three-day access to care standard for service members and their family members who need mental health care appointments

Protecting National Security by Countering the Chinese Communist Party and Supporting Democratic Allies

  • Expands the prohibition on DOD from contracting with any Chinese civil-military companies to include subsidiaries
  • Prohibits colleges and universities from receiving DOD funds if researchers work with Chinese entities
  • Authorizes funding for U.S. forces to continue training Taiwan and other partner nations to resist China’s aggression and malign influence
  • Authorizes full funding for joint U.S.-Israel missile defense programs, including the Iron Dome
  • Fully funds the Baltic Security Initiative to strengthen defense capabilities of the Baltic States amid growing Russian aggression

Bolstering Border Security and Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis

  • Authorizes $90 million to start a new Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South (JIATF-S) Command and Control Facility to detect and interdict illegal narcotics
  • Increases funding by $20 million for DOD counternarcotic activities
  • Expands DOD’s authority to assist law enforcement in disrupting drug trafficking
  • Requires DOD to brief Congress on threats posed by Mexican drug cartels

Full text of the bill is available HERE

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