Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6395, the “William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for FY21,” by a vote of 295-125.
“For sixty years, the House has voted to put America’s national security and our military first. This is not a Republican or a Democrat bill, it is an American bill. This legislation invests in our military families and military readiness, ensuring that our servicemembers will be protected at home and abroad. This bill also provides necessary resources and equipment for the troops stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, and funds military production at companies like Bell and Pantex. Our first obligation should always be to the brave men and women in uniform and their families, and it is a privilege to serve those who sacrifice so much for our nation.”
Key Highlights of the NDAA, H.R. 6395:
- Fully funds the President’s budget request of $740.5 billion for National Defense
- Supports our servicemembers and their families by including a 3% pay raise
- Allocates resources such as diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities, and personal protective equipment necessary to protect our Armed Forces during the COVID-19 crisis
- Funds vital nuclear modernization programs, ensuring that our nuclear deterrent is safe and reliable
- Lays the foundation for an Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative to deter China, modeled on the European Deterrence Initiative
- Invests $600 million in new science and technology such as artificial intelligence, unmanned defense systems, and biotechnology, maintaining a technical edge against China and other foreign adversaries
Bell
- Authorizes $134.4 million to continue the research and development of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and $513 million for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), supporting the budget request for the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program
- Authorizes $334 million for V-22 Osprey purchases
- Authorizes $44.7 million for nuclear modernization and support, ensuring America meets the growing threat of our adversaries abroad
- Authorizes $177 million for the construction of a new High Explosive Synthesis, Formulation, and Production facility at Pantex
- Authorizes $248.7 million for the continued development of the Air Force’s T-7A Redhawk training jet
- Ensures the USAF develops a plan to smoothly transition from the T-38C to the T-7A Redhawk as the primary training jet
- Authorizes $265.3 million for improvements to military family housing
