House Passes Defense Spending Authorization Bolstered By Horsford Amendments
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, celebrated the passage of H.R. 7776, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, the annual funding bill for the Department of Defense and our nation’s Armed Forces. Throughout the mark-up process in committee, and on the House floor during final consideration, Congressman Horsford has offered several amendments that improve servicemember benefits, strengthen military bases in Nevada, and make sure small businesses in Nevada can continue to contract with Defense Department.
“Nevada’s servicemembers and military are an important part driving Nevada’s economic engine and strengthening our national security. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was able to ensure the final bill includes key provisions for the people of Nevada,” said Congressman Horsford. “This year’s NDAA includes a 4.6 percent raise for our servicemembers and increases the servicemember housing allowance. That’s the largest pay raise in 20 years for Nevada servicemembers.”
Passed annually by Congress since 1961, the NDAA authorizes funding levels for the Department of Defense. This legislation allows the Armed Forces to pay, train and equip U.S. servicemembers; support America’s allies around the world; and carry out essential national security operations. With this year’s NDAA, House Democrats have advanced a range of key national security priorities:
The largest pay raise in 20 years for Nevada servicemembers, including a 4.6 percent pay increase for uniformed and civilian personnel.
Adds funds for the DoD to increase service member housing allowance by 2%, and requires a report on a more transparent, fair, and flexible way to calculate the basic allowance for housing.
Making major investments in diversity and inclusion, including a record amount of funding for defense research at HBCUs and MSIs. It also creates a new fellowship program to provide additional opportunities for those from underrepresented communities to serve within DoD.
Strengthening fight against sexual harassment in the military by requiring independently trained investigators outside the immediate chain of command to investigate sexual harassment and placing it under the jurisdiction of the Special Trial counsel.
Provides support for the people of Ukraine, including $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and additional efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on Russian energy.
Bolster civilian harm mitigation measures, including a Center for Excellence in Civilian Harm Mitigation and authorizes $25 million for the implementation of the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.
Supports our growing domestic semiconductor industry: requiring government contractors to use exclusive semiconductor chips that were Made In America. This will help create good-paying jobs in Nevada, secure our supply chains and bolster our economic competitiveness on the world stage.
Expand cooperation with U.S. allies, including anti-trafficking and climate resilience efforts.
Securing significant investments in clean energy and energy efficiency at DoD, harnessing solar and electric technologies to ensure that our defense facilities and vehicle fleets are resilient to climate disaster and energy disruptions.
The NDAA also includes $20 million and over 8,000 acres in trust land for the Walker River Paiute Tribe to resolve their claims for the contamination and loss of land on their reservation due to the expansion of the Fallon Range Training Complex at Naval Air Station Fallon. The compromise includes permanent protections for over half a million acres of public lands, management and preservation of Tribal and cultural resources, and continued access for Tribes, sportsmen, and the public. Additionally, the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe will also receive 10,000 acres in trust land and $20 million to create a Numu Newe cultural center, which will conserve the knowledge and cultural of local Tribes.
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