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Passing the FY24 NDAA Through HASC
Last week, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) passed the bipartisan FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA sets Department of Defense (DOD) policies and authorizes funding levels for defense programs.
This legislation recognizes the global impact that Georgia’s bases have on our nation’s defense and supports our warfighters around the globe.
I had 31 amendments included in the NDAA this year. Keep reading to learn about some of them below.
Deterring Chinese and Russian Aggression
As our adversaries display increasingly aggressive behavior, I am proud to have amendments included to counter the influence of dangerous countries like Russia and Communist China.
It is important to our national defense strategy to counter Communist Chinese and Russian influence in Africa. I offered three separate amendments in the NDAA that directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to examine the support provided by U.S. war colleges to war colleges in Africa, the feasibility of establishing an institute in Africa for security cooperation operated by the U.S. Army, and an update on the establishment among willing and capable African partners of a C-130 coalition on the continent.
I also worked to deter Russian dominance of the Black Sea, which is critical for global trade and food security. My amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the Congressional defense committees on the feasibility of establishing a Black Sea flotilla of vessels from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, NATO allies, and/or Ukraine. The briefing shall include possible roles, missions, organization, treaty and legal compliance, and requirements validation of such an effort.
Hunger is the number one driver of conflict, and food shortages create instability among poorer nations that terrorists and other non-state actors exploit. I worked to deter Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing by the Communist Chinese Party (CCP) in Africa. This amendment authorizes U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard personnel to train African naval and law enforcement personnel to detect and counter IUU fishing by Communist China- the world’s largest culprit of depleting fish stockpiles and the food source of so many people in Africa.
It is also important to ensure that DOD funds are not purchasing battery technology from our adversaries. My amendment prohibiting the purchase of any battery technology from CCP-controlled Contemporary Amperex Technology Company, Limited (CATL) was also included in the FY24 NDAA.
Read more here.
Supporting Georgia's Bases
The Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Savannah, Georgia, is critical for our nation's military readiness. To protect the CRTC and ensure that our warfighters are properly trained and prepared, I offered an amendment that would prohibit the closure of Air Force Combat Readiness Training Centers, including the one in Savannah.
The Headquarters of the Air Force Reserve Command is located at Robins AFB, and the Georgia National Guard is the country's 6th largest National Guard force. I included amendments that implement personnel reforms that are beneficial to reservists and guardsmen.
Some of these efforts are to allow officers and warrant officers of the Army and Air National Guard to transfer between the Army and Air National Guard and the Inactive National Guard. Also, to allow officers of the Air National Guard who are on active duty to serve on the Air Force Reserve Policy Committee and expand the Air Force Reserve Forces Policy Committee to add as non-voting members the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF), and the Command Chiefs of each reserve component; and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF).
Read more here.
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