Barrasso: NDAA Will Make America and Our Allies Safer

Statement

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) voted Wednesday to support the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. The bill overwhelmingly passed the Senate by a vote of 89-10.

Barrasso, who just spent Thanksgiving with Wyoming Marines and sailors serving in Bahrain, noted how this bill includes defense funding $25 billion above President Biden's budget request. It also includes a 2.7 percent pay raise for our troops.

"We never want to send our troops into a fair fight, we always want them to have the advantage," Barrasso said. "While this year's defense bill is far from perfect, it blocks the harmful defense cuts included in President Biden's budget. This will make sure our military has the tools necessary to continue to protect our nation and our allies. It also gives our servicemen and women a well-deserved pay raise."

The NDAA specifically prohibits the Biden administration from reducing our intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force -- an important part of our nation's nuclear triad.

"This bill prioritizes nuclear modernization and maintains our ICBM readiness. This will make sure Wyoming's F.E. Warren Air Force Base continues to play a leading role in our nation's nuclear deterrent," Barrasso said.

In response to growing threats from across the globe, the NDAA includes provisions that are tough on China and Russia. The bill includes strong support for Ukraine as they face a possible Russian invasion. It also makes sure much-needed resources are available to help our allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.

"After President Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, our enemies are more emboldened than ever. With this bill, Congress is taking the steps needed to counter the growing threats from Russia and China," Barrasso said.

"The bottom line is this bill makes America and our allies safer. The president needs to sign it into law as soon as possible," Barrasso added.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the NDAA on Dec. 7, 2021. The bill now heads to the president's desk.

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