Wilson Statement on House Passage of FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement on the House passage of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

"This year's NDAA represents the ongoing commitment my colleagues and I have for our national security, servicemembers, veterans, and their families. As a Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and the Second District of South Carolina on this critical legislation that advances peace through strength. Enactment of this bill would be the 61st consecutive fiscal year that the NDAA has passed, exhibiting the truly bipartisan nature of the process.

"Many of the initiatives I have championed this Congress are in this year's NDAA, including language to reduce barriers for military voters, exercise Congressional oversight of the Biden Administration's catastrophic withdrawal of Afghanistan endangering American families at home, provide support for military families with members who have special needs, encourage uniform cost parity between male and female servicemembers through the Military FATIGUES Act, and prevent malign actors from abusing INTERPOL with the TRAP Act.

"Military families are the strong foundation of the nation's military, which is why I am focused on ensuring servicemembers and their families continue to receive the benefits they deserve. This NDAA provides a 2.7 percent increase in basic pay, expands the in-home childcare pilot program, increases allowable parental leave, and ensures incentive pay parity for our National Guard and Reserve components.

"This legislation removes attempts by Democrats to restrict the Second Amendment rights of servicemembers and require women to register for the selective service and prohibits the Department of Defense (DoD) from dishonorably discharging servicemembers who choose not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

"This bill also provides full funding authorization for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) at the Savannah River Site, all of which I have worked to secure through the committee process.

"As a veteran and father of four sons who have served in the military overseas, I appreciate these victories for our military and am committed to continuing to work for our servicemembers and their families. I am thankful to have worked with my colleagues to advance this important, bipartisan legislation."

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