Rep. Veasey (TX-33) Votes to Pass Annual Defense Bill Supporting Service Members and America's National Security

Press Release

Today, Rep. Veasey voted to pass H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), which will strengthen U.S. national security by supporting the development of new technologies, coordination with America's global network of allies and partners, our country's democratic values, and our service members and their families. This year's NDAA also includes provisions that Veasey championed to bolster our nation's joint strike fighter program, secure jobs for North Texas, support foreign relations, and improve oversight of the Department of Defense.

"The FY23 NDAA is a strong bipartisan bill that honors our promise to brave service members in North Texas and across the globe and advances a smart international defense strategy," said Rep. Veasey. "As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am proud of the House of Representatives for approving a robust defense bill that protects our nation's values by making key investments in the programs, technologies, and personnel that strengthen our common defense. As the Senate considers the legislation, I look forward to strong bicameral support and hope that President Biden signs the FY23 NDAA into law expediently."

Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Veasey and his colleagues, the FY23 NDAA includes:

Additional Lockheed Martin F-35 Fighter Jets, made in Fort Worth and used by many of our allies around the world.
Additional Bell V-22 Ospreys, used by the Air Force, Marines, and Navy to perform many complex transportation and medevac operations.
Improved oversight on weapons systems sustainment, aiming to increase accountability for how the Pentagon budgets its maintenance accounts.
Key pay increases for service members and their families, including a 4.6% pay raise for service members and civilian personnel, 2.4% inflation bonuses for service members earning less than $45,000/year and a $15/hour minimum wage for workers on federal service and construction contracts.
Support for HBCUs and other minority serving institutions, allocating over $111 million for research activities at HBCUs and establishing a pilot program to increase research capacity at minority-serving institutions.
Civilian harm mitigation measures, reflecting the democratic values of the United States as a strategic and moral imperative by creating a DOD Center for Excellence in Civilian Harm Mitigation.
New investments in science and technology competitiveness, including $275 million in additional funding for next-generation capabilities in hypersonics, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and software.
Supply chain security, including an assessment of dual-use technology that the Chinese Communist Party might exploit and improving risk management in DoD supply chains involving pharmaceutical products.
Resources for U.S. allies and partners, including $1 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and funding for the European Deterrence Initiative and Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

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