National Defense Authorization Act Passes with Reschenthaler Championed Amendments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) voted for H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. This bipartisan bill authorizes $740.5 billion in funding for our nation's military and provides a three percent pay raise for our troops. H.R. 6395 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 295 to 125 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
"As a former Navy JAG, I am firmly committed to supporting our troops who make sacrifices every day to protect our freedoms at home and abroad," said Reschenthaler. "This bill will provide American servicemembers with the resources they need to defend our country from global threats, keep themselves safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and take care of their families. As a member of the China Task Force, I am particularly proud the FY21 NDAA includes provisions I championed to protect Department Of Defense academic research from foreign theft by China, strengthen the defense industrial base and create jobs, and support innovation through three-dimensional printing. I will continue to prioritize the needs of the men and women of our military and the security of our nation."
The FY21 NDAA provides the resources necessary to continue rebuilding readiness, modernize nuclear capabilities, increase investment in science and technology, and protect our troops during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also lays a foundation for Ranking Member Mac Thornberry's (R-TX) Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a measure co-sponsored by Congressman Reschenthaler. To counter China, the initiative strengthens and builds new partnerships, deters China's malicious and aggressive behavior, and enhances military exercises and training.
Additionally, Congressman Reschenthaler offered or cosponsored several bipartisan amendments that were adopted on the House floor, including provisions to:
- Protect academic institutions from undue foreign influence from China, Russia, and Iran.
- Support additive manufacturing, also known as three-dimensional printing, which ensure DOD can quickly meet warfighters needs.
- Strengthen the defense industrial base and create jobs in Pennsylvania by securing a second source of Army cannon tubes.
- Authorize the transfer of two excess OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigates to the Egyptians to help counter Russia in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Create a National Supply Chain Database to connect small and mid-size defense manufacturers and prevent supply chain disruptions.
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