NE Ohio Times

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) recently voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024 (FY24), which authorizes funding for members of our military and their families and critical national security programs to keep America safe. 

The FY24 NDAA contains Congressman Joyce’s amendment that calls upon the Department of Defense to take all appropriate action to lessen our military’s dependence on adversarial nations for strategically critical materials, including natural rubber, a key industry in Northeast Ohio. Congressman Joyce also succeeded in securing a requirement that the Department of Defense determine whether Junior ROTC cadets are receiving proper information and resources related to sexual assault prevention, amidst disturbing revelations of a rise in sexual abuse in some Junior ROTC programs across the country. This language follows the introduction of Congressman Joyce’s SAYFE Act, which aims to crack down on rising rates of sexual assault within Junior ROTC programs by mandating that all cadets participate in a once annual class on preventing sexual assault and inappropriate relationships between adults and students. 

“One of the most important functions of Congress is to provide for the defense and national security of our nation,” said Congressman Joyce. “This year’s NDAA does just that by providing the necessary funding to ensure our military’s readiness, support our servicemembers and their families, and counter our foreign adversaries.”

In addition to Joyce’s amendment, the FY24 NDAA: 

•    supports a 5.2% increase in servicemember basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years.

•    authorizes over $240 million to reduce servicemember out-of-pocket housing expenses and counteract the skyrocketing cost of rent.

•    expands reimbursements available to military spouses for relicensing or business costs when servicemembers transfer locations.

•    rejects the Biden administration’s effort to reduce the size of the Navy.

•    extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Funds the initiative at $9.7 billion, an increase of $600 million over Biden’s budget request. 

•    requires the DoD to identify and mitigate harmful encroachment near military installations, especially land purchases made by CCP-backed entities.

•    reaffirms U.S. support to the defense of Taiwan.

•    prohibits the decommissioning of 5 battle force ships with years of service life remaining.

•    adds $50 million above the President’s budget request to research and develop advanced technology with Israel.

•    directs DoD to inform Congress on how it will utilize, transfer, or donate to border states unused border wall materials for further construction of a border barrier.

•    reduces DoD childcare fees for military families.

•    provides assistance to the 8,000 servicemembers discharged for failing to take the COVID-19 vaccine and gives them a path back to service.

Original source can be found here.