East PDX Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) released the following statement after voting in favor of the fiscal year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes $71.5 million for the construction of an Air National Guard special tactics complex at the Portland International Airport.

“One of the most important responsibilities of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. While this extensive bill isn’t perfect, it accomplishes several key objectives that are essential to protecting our national security and promoting peace and stability around the world. It includes funding that will directly benefit Oregon service members and help thwart the deadly fentanyl crisis that continues killing young Oregonians. Our state and our nation will be stronger and safer with the passage of this critical legislation, and that's why I was proud to support it," Chavez-DeRemer said.

Summary of FY24 NDAA Provisions

Supporting Border Security and Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis

• Provides an additional $15 million over the president’s budget request to enable U.S. Northern Command to improve drug interdiction, including fentanyl shipments from China; and
• Provides an additional $25 million over the president’s budget request for the National Guard to work with local law enforcement agencies in efforts to disrupt illicit drug production and trafficking.

Countering Aggression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

• Accelerates the deployment of advanced radars to track high-altitude balloons and other CCP threats to our homeland;
• Prohibits the Department of Defense (DoD) from contracting with consulting firms that also do business with the CCP;
• Requires the DoD to identify and mitigate harmful encroachment near military installations, especially land purchases made by CCP-backed entities; and
• Increases funding for military information operations assistance to Indo-Pacific allies to counter Chinese influence operations.

Providing for Our Service Members and Military Families

• Supports a 5.2 percent increase in service member basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years;
• Authorizes over $240 million to reduce service member out-of-pocket housing expenses and counteract the skyrocketing cost of rent;
• Authorizes $113 million over the budget request for the construction of new child care centers;
• Expands the in-home child care pilot program to focus on more rural areas;
• Authorizes over $280 million to build new schools for military children; and 
• Requires a study of the role of non-clinical behavioral health services to expand mental health services.

Strengthening Strategic Deterrence, Missile Defense, and Hypersonic Capabilities

• Fully funds the modernization of our nuclear triad;
• Requires the DoD to notify Congress of any instance of nuclear cooperation between Russia and China, which follows reports of Russia’s delivery of highly enriched uranium to China;
• Provides an additional $225 million to accelerate the Glide Phase Interceptor program to defend against hypersonic threats and requires an initial capability to be fielded by 2029; and
• Requires the DoD to develop additional aerial testing corridors to address shortfalls in hypersonic testing capacity.

Original source can be found here.