WESTERMAN VOTES TO BOLSTER AMERICAN DEFENSE, SUPPORT SERVICEMEMBERS

December 11, 2024

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Servicemember and Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 (FY25 NDAA). Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:

“House Republicans, under the Servicemember and Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 (FY25 NDAA), have passed legislation to improve the quality of life for all servicemembers and funnel key investments through defense programs in order to further position the United States as a global leader in defense,” said Congressman Westerman. “Concerns regarding low morale and stress on families have steep impacts on the military recruitment process, retention, and military readiness. We cannot and should not allow these factors to negatively affect the men and women in our military who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms.”

“Several provisions in the FY25 NDAA are wins not only for our national security and servicemembers, but for the Fourth District of Arkansas. I am pleased to see several funding initiatives which positively impact East Camden and other industry areas within the Fourth District that are responsible for producing critical arms and supplies necessary for our national defense.”

“Through this process, House Republicans have pushed back on radical, woke ideologies that have been needlessly pressed upon our military. These, and any other partisan ideals have no place in this sector, and I am pleased to see legislation pass the House to further protect our servicemembers and provide resources to better impact their quality of life. As global adversaries continue to threaten democracy around the world, I am encouraged to see several initiatives included in this bill to bring the hammer down on bad actors like China, Russia, and Iran, while continuing to support and provide aid to our ally in the Middle East – Israel. The FY25 NDAA cuts inefficient programs, saves money, and further stretches taxpayer dollars while ensuring the United States remains the global leader in defense. I am grateful for the bicameral work done by my Republican colleagues and look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.”

BACKGROUND:

The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act:

Permanently bans DoD from providing minors with gender dysmorphia medical treatments, like hormones and puberty blockers, that could result in sterilization.
No teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military.
Extends DEI hiring freeze; cannot establish any new positions or follow any open DEI positions.
Prohibits DoD from contracting with advertising firms, like NewsGuard, that blacklist conservative news sources.
Prohibits the sale of goods at DoD commissaries and exchanges from any entities that have or are engaged in a boycott of Israel.
Prohibits DoD from using or citing casualty data from Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
Prohibits DoD from requiring servicemembers and civilian employees to use zero-emission vehicles for official travel.
Fully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.
Continues providing battlefield intelligence to Israel to defeat Hamas.
Authorizes full funding for joint US-Israel cooperative missile defense programs (Iron Dome, Arrow, David’s Sling) – which has a direct impact in the 4th District.
Reverses the Biden Admin’s decision to cease production of the Standard Missile 3.
Saves taxpayers $31 billion or 4% of current DoD spending levels.
14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members (up to E-4).
4.5% pay raise for all other service members.
$100 million for new schools of children of service members.
Fully funds child care fee assistance programs to eliminate fee assistance wait lists for eligible families.
Removes reversionary interest on Army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs to allow the state to develop or sell the property; requires the development to complement the national park; provides a way for land to revert to federal government if state does not want it.

Background on the former Army-Navy Hospital:

The nearly 21-acre site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city's downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair.
The Army and Navy began use of the Hot Springs Reservation in 1887. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients.
The site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas in 1960 and became a state-run rehabilitation center; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI).
In 2020, the state ceased all operations at the site, and it has remained vacant since, falling victim to increased vandalism and unauthorized access, leading to serious safety and fire concerns for the surrounding areas.
The FY24 NDAA authorized grant funding to the Army-Navy Hospital for on-site security and fire prevention services.
The second FY24 appropriations package allocated $2.75 million in funding that was authorized by the FY24 NDAA.
On September 10th, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) approved a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the State of Arkansas in support of the former Army-Navy Hospital.
Click here for the full text of the FY25 NDAA.