WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVDN) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued the below statement after voting in support of the conference report to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA), a bipartisan compromise combining the House- and Senate-passed versions of the NDAA. The conference report passed the Senate for the 63rd year in a row.
This bipartisan legislation demonstrates support for our troops, domestic and national security, and strengthening the U.S. military. Several provisions Senator Capito supported were included in this legislation that will benefit West Virginia and our servicemen and women.
“Properly establishing our nation’s defense priorities is one of Congress’ primary responsibilities and something that I take incredibly seriously. It is essential that Congress comes together and shows robust support for passage of the NDAA, as we have done tonight,” Senator Capito said. “We must always show that support for our men and women in uniform and the strength of our military will continue to be our top priority. This legislation reflects that and I’m proud to join my colleagues in passing this bill tonight.”
THE NDAA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS SENATOR CAPITO LED OR SUPPORTED:
- Land Conveyance for the City of Wheeling: The bill includes language Senator Capito requested authorizing the conveyance of the former BG J Sumner Jones Army Reserve Center to the City of Wheeling, W.Va. The City plans to use the property for emergency response services.
- Land Conveyance for the City of New Martinsville: The bill includes language Senator Capito requested authorizing the conveyance of the former Wetzel County Memorial Army Reserve Center to the City of New Martinsville, W.Va. The City plans to use the property for emergency response services.
- West Virginia National Guard priorities requested by Senator Capito:
o Authorizes $1.95 million in Planning & Design funding for a new National Guard Readiness Center in Bluefield, W.Va.
o Authorizes $4.8 million in Planning & Design funding for a new National Guard Readiness Center in Charleston, W.Va.
o Authorizes $3.3 million in Planning & Design funding for a new National Guard Readiness Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
ADDITIONAL NDAA HIGHLIGHTS:
- Authorizes a 5.2% pay raise for U.S. servicemembers to offset inflation.
- Holds federal bureaucrats accountable by requiring that all recruitment and promotion actions by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) are based on merit and performance, not demographic quotas.
- Confronts China with hard power by establishing a new U.S. training program with Taiwan and expands the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. basing and logistics in the Western Pacific.
- Defends the homeland by empowering the DoD to take the fight to the cartels in cyberspace and encourages development of new homeland air defense protocols to prevent future violations of airspace by our adversaries.
- Strengthens America’s munitions arsenal by adding six more critical munitions to the Pentagon’s highly successful multi-year procurement (MYP) program, including Tomahawk and Mk48 torpedoes, which are essential to deterring China.
