Congressman Brown Highlights Progress for Justice, Servicemembers, and Maryland in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act

Press Release

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a 30-year Army veteran, joined a bipartisan majority to advance the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R.7776). The bill sets policy for the Department of Defense (DOD), and authorizes approximately $847 billion in discretionary spending for national defense.

Additionally, in this year's NDAA, the House of Representatives passed a 4.6 percent military pay increase. The legislation includes Congressman Brown's priorities in research funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), military justice reform, resources for servicemembers and their families, and support for Maryland's critical role in our national security.

"This year's National Defense Authorization Act recognizes the complex national security environment we live in and makes the critical investments we need to keep our country safe. During my tenure in Congress, it's been an honor to serve on the House Armed Services Committee and advocate for the resources and policies that support our nation's greatest strength -- the diverse Americans who serve our nation in uniform," said Congressman Brown. 

Congressman Brown continued, "It is my hope that the groundwork we lay today in diversity and inclusion, military justice reform, servicemember wellbeing, and Maryland's pivotal national security role continues to be expanded upon. Our armed services reflect the best in our country and must always carry forward the values that so many have sacrificed for."

The legislative text of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act is available here. A full list of policies put forward by Congressman Brown can be found below:

Fostering Diversity and Inclusion:

HBCU/DOD Research Funding and Partnerships -- Congressman Brown championed $131.7 million for HBCU funding and research partnerships within the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act. When Congressman Brown entered Congress in 2017, HBCUs received a mere 0.4 percent of Department of Defense research funding. Thanks to bipartisan efforts and commitments, that funding has tripled over the last five years.

Bolstering HBCU and MSI Research Capacity-- Provides for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Academies study, "Defense Research Capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions: Transitioning from Good Intentions to Measurable Outcomes," which will improve the research capacity of HBCUs and MSIs, enhancing their ability to compete for future defense research funding opportunities, including through the creation of a pilot program specifically geared towards capacity improvements.

Military Justice Reform:

Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Reforms on Sexual Assault -- Places sexual harassment and other offenses under the jurisdiction of the Special Trial Counsel. Requires independent trained investigators outside of the immediate chain of command to investigate claims of sexual harassment. Requires the randomization of court-martial panels. Expands reporting requirements on the implementation of the New Special Trial Counsel program. Permits the Secretary of Defense to expand restricted reporting of sexual assault for civilian employees. Prior to this, civilian employees could only file unrestricted reports with the military.

Readiness:

Black Box Pilot Program -- Establishes a new pilot program to install and maintain data recorders in Army and Marine Corps tactical vehicles.

Contaminated Sites at Aberdeen Proving Ground -- Encourages the Department to continue its work and complete its efforts to decommission, decontaminate and demolition 63 remnant production plant slabs and inactive former laboratories which are contaminated in a timely fashion.

Fire Control RADAR Systems -- Directs the Navy conduct a demonstration of different shipboard FCR systems to ensure the best capability is selected for future upgrades on Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).

Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) -- Permanently authorizes the laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground to study, analyze and assess the threat and hazards associated with an accidental or intentional large-scale chemical event or chemical terrorism event.

SEA FUEL Carbon Capture Technology -- Expands on previous work directing the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to invest in carbon capture technology with an additional $10 million over topline funding.

Veterans & Servicemembers:

National Guard Promotions -- Improves and streamlines the promotion process for National Guard officers and warrant officers to ensure these servicemembers can progress in their careers without needless bureaucratic delays. The National Guard Promotion Improvement Act would assess and review the current process, and provide recommendations on how to improve it.

Military Construction:

Additionally, House Democrats are advancing a bill that provides $7.3 billion for military construction. The bill includes:

$37.6 million for a Test Maintenance Fabrication Facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

$17.5 million for Cantonment Area Roads at Fort Meade.

More than $18 million for projects at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division.

$75.5 million for Bethesda Naval Hospital for MEDCEN addition and alteration.

$1.878 million for family housing construction at Joint Base Andrews.

$75.5 million for the sixth increment of the NAVSUPPACT Bethesda, MD, Medical Center project.

Increases the cap for the Department of Defense's lab revitalization program from $6 million to $9 million.

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