National Defense Funding Authorization Passes with Reschenthaler Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) voted for H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). This bipartisan bill ensures our military is well-equipped to counter foreign threats, provides a 2.7 percent pay raise for our troops, and boosts total defense funding by nearly $25 billion over President Biden's budget request, a 5 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2021.
"As a Navy veteran, I am deeply committed to supporting our national defense and our troops. These brave men and women make sacrifices every day to protect our freedoms at home and abroad, yet President Biden bowed to progressives and tried to cut defense funding even as our nation faces a rising China. Thankfully, this legislation will provide our servicemembers with critical equipment and training as well as pay raises so they can take care of their families, while also modernizing our military and enhancing oversight on President Biden's disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal," said Reschenthaler. "I am especially proud the FY22 NDAA also includes provisions I championed, such as preventing defense funding from flowing to EcoHealth Alliance, an organization that funneled American taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, combatting deadly fentanyl imports into the United States, and ensuring our servicemembers receive critical mental health care. I remain dedicated to prioritizing the needs of our military men and women and the security of our nation."
The FY22 NDAA reverses President Biden's reckless cuts to our national defense. The legislation includes measures such as:
- Includes a 2.7 percent pay raise and expanded benefits for military families.
- Restores funding for shipbuilding to ensure the U.S. Navy can meet its mission.
- Includes provisions that remove China from our defense supply chain.
- Strengthens border security by directing additional National Guard resources to the southern border.
- Authorizes $250 million to conduct counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan and prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing any financial support to the Taliban.
Additionally, Reschenthaler offered or co-led several initiatives adopted on the House floor or included in the underlying bill:
- Prevents defense funding from flowing to EcoHealth Alliance, an organization that sent taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the probable origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Counters deadly fentanyl imports from countries like China.
- Authorizes a survey on access to mental health care under the military health system.
- Requires a study on the impact of copays on access to mental health services for servicemembers, retirees, and families.
- Requires DOD to list future Purple Heart award recipients on the valor website.
- Requires a study on further protecting United States research against foreign interference, theft, and espionage.
- Authorizes the nationwide use of remote online notarization, which allows servicemembers overseas to complete important documents and create national standards and protections on its use.
- Protects servicemembers from forced arbitration clauses in contracts.
- Supports additive manufacturing and the machine learning initiative of the Army, which will facilitate 3-D printing capabilities on the frontline.
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