"The U.S. military always has our backs as they defend our freedoms and serve our nation, and it’s critical that we have theirs.”
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08) released the following statement after voting for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023:
“If you’ve ever wondered if a strong military is necessary for a free country, just ask Ukraine. The world is more dangerous than ever, and I am dead set on fulfilling my highest Constitutional duty to provide for America’s common defense. I strongly support this bipartisan legislation, which authorizes our national defense, to fully fund our military and keep our nation safe.
"This bill provides the largest pay raise for our troops in history, expands on President Trump’s historic military rebuild with 7% growth in funding, and reverses President Biden’s reckless cuts to our national security.
"The U.S. military always has our backs as they defend our freedoms and serve our nation, and it’s critical that we have theirs.”
Background: The FY23 NDAA as voted on in the House of Representatives:
- Builds on President Trump’s military rebuild by funding the DoD at 7% growth.
- Reverses President Biden’s reckless cuts to our national security, restoring cuts to procurement, missile defense, and military construction.
- Provides a 2.4% pay bonus for enlisted personnel to counteract the impacts of inflation on low-income military families and supports a 4.6% pay increases for servicemembers.
- Authorizes $16 billion for military construction, including $9.6 million for the U.S. Army Reserve Center in TX-08.
- Encourages expansion of irregular warfare and information operations assistance to Indo-Pacific allies to counter Chinese influence operations.
- Saves more than $6 billion through the decommissioning and divestment of hundreds of older, less capable ships and aircraft while reinvesting in the construction of 13 new battleships.
- Requires the DoD Inspector General to regularly carry out comprehensive reviews and audits of assistance provided to Ukraine while authorizes $1 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
