Forecasting the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a strong supporter of our brave troops and veterans, it is an honor to work on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) every year. The NDAA is the single most important piece of legislation that comes out of the Armed Services Committee each year. This legislation traditionally has strong bipartisan support and seeks to advance American military might whether on land, air, sea, or space. It is crucial in protecting our nation, maintaining a competitive advantage over our adversaries, and supporting those who risk their lives to keep us safe.
Specifically, the NDAA makes changes to the policies of the United States defense agencies and provides guidelines for military funding for the next fiscal year. It starts in the House Armed Services committee, where members consider, debate, and vote on amendments for inclusion. Next week, the full committee plans to vote on this important legislation. Once it passes, it will head to the House floor for full consideration.
Last year, I offered several amendments with Oklahoma’s fifth district in mind, and nearly all were added to the final bill. My priorities were securing the southern border, investigating the impacts of the devastating Afghanistan withdrawal, and supporting military personnel and their families. One of the amendments directly addressed the ongoing lack of security at the border by allocating $25 million of previously allocated but unused funds to enable units from the Army National Guard to take a greater role in assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.
In this year’s NDAA, I am seeking to make beneficial impacts on the lives of Oklahomans in the 5th District. Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4) and I were able to include $30 million for the B-21 campus at Tinker Air Force Base. This funding is vital for keeping the B-21 campus project on time and on mission in order to service the fleet.
Additionally, my bill, the Security Clearance Portability for Departing Servicemembers Act, is included in the initial draft of the NDAA. This legislation aims to expand employment opportunities for departing servicemembers to transition into civilian national security contractor positions by making a more efficient process for transferring Department of Defense security clearances.
Unfortunately, President Biden’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2023 would cut half of the E-3 Sentry aircraft at Tinker – a full four years before the first E-7 is scheduled to come online in Fiscal Year 2027. At a time when we are seeing increased aggression and military production from our near-peer adversaries like China, this four-year gap in combat capability is extremely worrying. I’m working to include language within the NDAA that would address this issue and maintain jobs and economic opportunity in Oklahoma’s 5th District.
Overall, I am grateful to have a hand in one of the most important pieces of legislation to move though Congress because it aims to safeguard our great nation and support our selfless troops, veterans, and military families in Oklahoma and beyond.