Reed-backed National Defense Bill Clears Major Senate Hurdle

WASHINGTON, DC - On a bipartisan basis, U.S. Senators voted 83-12 to advance a compromise version of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), teeing up debate and final passage of the legislation in the coming days. The $883.7 billion fiscal year 2025 NDAA was previously approved last week by a vote of 281-140 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5 increase for all other servicemembers, as well as wage increases for Defense Department employees in Rhode Island and nationwide.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who voted to advance the bipartisan annual defense policy bill, said passing the NDAA and sending it to President Biden's desk to be signed into law is critical to bolstering national security and deterring hostile threats from foreign adversaries.

"Our nation faces a complex and evolving range of security threats, and we must provide our servicemembers with the resources they need to safeguard our nation both now and in the future. Enacting the National Defense Authorization Act is critical to this endeavor, and the floor debate is a crucial part of the process," said Reed.

The 2025 NDAA authorizes investments for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and national security programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to safeguard the nation, enhance our deterrence capabilities, and strengthen America's defense industrial base. The $883.7 billion topline includes $849.9 billion for DOD programs, $33.3 billion for national security programs at DOE and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, and $512.4 million for other defense-related activities.

The NDAA sets defense policy and investment priorities for the next year, including military readiness, training and operations; infrastructure construction and maintenance; and research and development programs. In addition to the pay raise for servicemembers, the legislation also includes a series of quality of life improvements for servicemembers to enhance childcare, housing, medical services, employment support for military spouses, and more.

"This NDAA will make America stronger and more secure. It includes future-oriented policies, cost-effective investments, and battlefield improvements to safeguard the nation, support our forces, and reform the Pentagon. It's a major victory for our servicemembers and their families that improves their pay, health, housing, and more. This bill ensures the continued excellence of our all-volunteer force - by far the most dominant, capable, and advanced military fighting force in the world. It wisely invests in improving our undersea capabilities, boosts innovation, and supports the technology and capabilities our warfighters need to deter aggression and prevail on any future battlefield. It will strengthen the U.S. position amid strategic competition and bolster our economic advantage," said Senator Reed.

Now that cloture has been invoked, it sets up a period of debate on the bill, followed by another vote with a 60-vote threshold that is required to end debate.

Congress has passed the NDAA for 63 years in a row and Senator Reed says it is important to keep that streak going.

Reed highlighted several key provisions of the bill that will benefit Rhode Island's defense workforce and the state's economy, including:

• More than $7 billion to support construction of one Virginia-class submarine, including $357 million to purchase materials for a second ship;
• $73.5 million for Navy applied research on undersea warfare technologies, led by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC);
• $20 million for the Defense Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), which ensures Rhode Island universities may compete to perform cutting-edge basic research and partner with defense labs;
• $50 million in supplemental Impact Aid and $20 million in Impact Aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities; and
• Additional cost-to-complete military construction funding for the RI Army National Guard Readiness Center.
• Additionally, the bill includes several provisions to support small businesses, including language to ensure small business customer service issues are resolved expeditiously by DOD; and improvements to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs of DOD, including making military service academies and other education institutions eligible for the STTR program.

Hundreds of small businesses across Rhode Island supply the U.S. Department of Defense, and hardworking Rhode Islanders contribute to the creation of a wide range of military products, equipment, and services. Additionally, Rhode Island is home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport; Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport; and the Naval War College. These facilities, along with leading academic research institutions and a network of suppliers and small businesses, contribute to a defense industry that is boosting Rhode Island's economy and leading to advancements in technology and innovation.

A recent report by SENEDIA shows that the total direct and indirect economic impact from defense spending in Rhode Island accounted for $7.6 billion in 2022. The report found that Rhode Island's defense industry is growing and supported a total of 34,068 direct and indirect jobs across the Ocean State with an annual payroll of $3 billion.

Reed noted that Congress must still enact a full fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill. Reed also serves on the Appropriations Committee.

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