Wilson Statement on Signing of FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement on the signing into law of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023:
"This year's NDAA represents the ongoing commitment my colleagues and I have to our national security, servicemembers, veterans, and their families. As a Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and the Second District of South Carolina on this critical legislation that advances peace through strength.
"This strong, bipartisan, bicameral bill reverses President Biden's reckless cuts to our national security, and restores funding for procurement, missile defense, and military construction and housing projects. It provides the authorities and resources needed to ensure our military can defend our nation, meet ongoing challenges in the Global War on Terrorism, and modernize to deter and defeat China, Russia, and our other near-peer adversaries. It supports Ukraine while requiring the Department of Defense (DoD), State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Inspector Generals to regularly carry out comprehensive reviews and audits of all assistance provided to Ukraine.
"To counteract the dangerous effects that Biden's unprecedented inflation crisis is having on military readiness and servicemembers, this legislation provides a 4.6 percent pay raise, increases housing allowances, lowers prices at commissaries, and expands eligibility for low-income military families to receive an additional allowance to cover their basic needs.
"Military families are the strong foundation of the nation's armed forces, which is why I am focused on ensuring that servicemembers and their families continue to receive the benefits they deserve. I am grateful that my bill, the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) Improvement Act, was included in this year's NDAA. Military children face unique challenges due to frequent moves and deserve the opportunity to have continuity of education.
"Additionally, this bill repeals the COVID-19 vaccination mandate on all active and reserve component servicemembers and ends servicemember separations for failure to take the COVID-19 vaccine that was negatively impacting the military's recruitment and retention goals.
"This year's NDAA supports the missions and communities of the Savannah River Site by authorizing additional funding for plutonium pit production through the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility and full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), all of which I have worked to secure through the committee process.
"I am also grateful that the NDAA included language from the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 that will assist South Carolina in coming to a solution that will maintain the water level below the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam of 114.76 feet.
"Finally, I was grateful to champion continuing authorizations for defense research projects at South Carolina institutions of higher education including Clemson University, Benedict College, and the University of South Carolina. These world-class schools are actively engaged in technological research on projects such as autonomous logistics, automotive research, artificial intelligence, naval power and energy systems, and hypersonics that directly benefit DoD programs and enhance national security.
"As a veteran and father of four sons who have served in the military overseas, I appreciate these victories for our military and am committed to continuing to work for our servicemembers and their families. I am thankful to have advanced this important, bipartisan legislation alongside my colleagues in the House and Senate."
Highlights of the FY23 NDAA: Repeals the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Savannah River Site (SRS)
Support for Military Families
Military Readiness and Deterring Adversaries
Border Security
South Carolina Military Installations
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