Washington D.C. – In a significant legislative development, U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has announced the successful passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. The bipartisan bill, which authorizes the budget and expenditures for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), now awaits the President’s signature to become law.
Representative Rogers expressed pride in the passage of the NDAA, emphasizing its critical role in addressing national security threats. He underscored the bill’s focus on refocusing the military on lethality and implementing rigorous oversight on the Department of Defense under the Biden Administration. Additionally, Representative Rogers highlighted Alabama’s leadership in national security through various measures included in the legislation.
Measures benefiting the state of Alabama include blocking the relocation of SPACECOM Headquarters to Colorado, a 5.2% pay raise for over 37,000 servicemembers stationed in Alabama, and authorizations for significant military construction projects and improvements at bases such as the Anniston Army Depot and Fort McClellan.
The NDAA also prohibits the retirement of KC-135, preserving the footprint at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base. Various grants and authorizations for infrastructure improvements at private shipyards, naval shipbuilding projects, and enhancements to telecommunication infrastructure at Alabama National Guard installations were included.
In a separate statement, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) expressed her support for the final passage of the NDAA. Senator Britt highlighted key provisions in the legislation, including a 5.2% pay raise for troops, the resumption of border wall construction, and a focus on individual performance and merit for military promotions. She also emphasized the bill’s efforts to modernize military capabilities, address threats from Communist China, and support Israel’s defense.
Senator Britt acknowledged the hard work of the Alabama delegation and the freeze on funding for the Space Command headquarters in Colorado pending a full audit of the basing decision. Additionally, she secured passage of an amendment addressing mental healthcare access for military families and supported legislation allowing the use of unused border wall panels.
The NDAA, passed annually since 1961, plays a crucial role in authorizing funding for the military, outlining national security priorities, and setting targets for defense technology modernization. This year’s bill includes a 5.2% pay raise for more than 37,000 active-duty service members in Alabama and authorizes over $316 million in Military Construction Projects across the state.
