Bipartisan FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Passes out of Senate with Daines Support
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted to pass several significant Montana priorities in the bipartisan “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA), including bills to strengthen national security, give U.S. servicemembers a much deserved pay raise, combat the fentanyl epidemic, and more.
Click HERE to watch and download statement as video.
“The 2024 NDAA is a win-win for Montana. I was able to strengthen this bill with several key provisions to keep America safe and protect our Montana way of life. From fentanyl flooding our streets to empowered foreign enemies, the threats facing our nation are truly unprecedented. The NDAA is a great opportunity to face these threats head on, make America safer and support the service members who sacrifice so much in service to our nation,” Daines said. “This bill is a big win for Montana, our national security and the brave men and women in uniform.”
Daines Amendments in Defense Bill Text
National Guard Travel Reimbursement: Will allow Montana National Guard and Reserve units to reimburse their service members for travel to and from their monthly drill commitments. Currently guard and reserve members are only reimbursed for lodging during their required drill dates. Every military family is experiencing the effects of inflation and should not have to pay for the cost of traveling to and from their duty station.
NORAD Gap Analysis: Will mandate the Defense Department analyze NORAD’s capabilities to find any gaps that may exist. After the Chinese spy balloon, it is important that to find any limitations that could be exploited by our adversaries in order to help prevent another Chinese spy balloon from happening again.
Troop Pay Raise: Will mandate a 5.2% pay increase for our men and women in uniform.
Prevention of Adversaries from Buying Montana Farmland: Bipartisan provision that prevents China and other foreign adversaries from buying American farmland near military installations.
Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement: Will provide $1.3 billion to improve infrastructure and economic development for the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) and improve the efficiency of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Milk River Project, which furnishes water for the irrigation of about 121,000 acres of Tribal and non-Tribal land.
Other provisions:
– Cracks down on the trafficking of fentanyl into Montana communities.
– Requires the agency handling our military’s supply chain to brief Congress on their use of a label that hurts veterans working at small businesses.