Gallagher Statement on House Passage of NDAA
Statement
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 6395, the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 295 to 125. Rep. Gallagher is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which is responsible for drafting the legislation.
"In Congress, we have no higher duty than to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to complete their mission and get home safe," said Rep. Gallagher. "This NDAA, while imperfect, takes important steps to deter CCP aggression, provides our troops with a well-deserved pay raise, and includes many of my amendments to help better defend our country in cyberspace. As we look towards conference with the Senate, I hope we can build upon the successes in this bill and arrive at a final product that, above all else, keeps Americans safe."
The NDAA is the legislative vehicle that authorizes spending for the Department of Defense. In addition to fully funding the President's budget request of $740.5 billion, this year's bill includes a three percent pay raise for troops, improved access to childcare for military families, and increased funding for critical emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The final bill includes a number of initiatives Rep. Gallagher worked to secure, including:
Amendments that implement recommendations made by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission to better defend our nation in cyberspace
Language similar to the Taiwan Defense Act, which helps ensure that the Department of Defense has capabilities and resources necessary to defeat a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
A ban on the federal procurement of DJI drones as well as federal dollars going to procure them to state and local law enforcement
A GAO report on ZTE's compliance with its obligations under a settlement agreement with the US
An independent study of the Chinese defense industrial base so we better understand its vulnerabilities
An amendment to help combat PLA-affiliated research institutions that steal technology from US campuses
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