Bill Includes Pay Raise for Troops, Travel Reimbursement for National Guard and Reserve Servicemembers, Support for the Mission at Malmstrom, Funding for Tech Hubs, Rip and Replace Program
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that several of his legislative priorities passed out of the Senate in the “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA), including a pay raise for troops, Daines’ effort to reimburse Reserve and National Guard troops for travel expenses, critical funding for the mission at Malmstrom, construction authorizations for the Montana National Guard, and additional funds for Daines’ bill to support Tech Hubs and Daines’ bill to fully fund the “Rip and Replace” program. The NDAA will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Download Daines’ video statement HERE.
“Our Montana servicemembers have stepped up to serve our state and our country, and the NDAA is a chance to support those in uniform and bolster our national security. With the effects of Bidenflation still burdening families, I’m proud to secure a 14 and a half percent pay raise for junior enlisted men and women and a 4 and a half percent increase for the entire military. I’m also glad to see my efforts to reimburse our Reserve and National Guard members for travel expenses they incur on their way to and from drill included in the bill. This year’s NDAA is good for Montana, good for our servicemembers and good for our national security,” said Daines.
Montana wins in the NDAA:
- Daines’ effort to reimburse Reserve and National Guards for travel to and from drill, including gas and meals
- Daines’ bill to fully fund the “Rip and Replace” program to replace Chinese manufactured infrastructure on American networks and help protect against espionage, avoid service blackouts and prevent rural communications from closing down
- Up to $500 million in additional funding for Tech Hubs created by Daines’ bill
- A 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5% raise for all military members
- A full evaluation of the current calculation methods for servicemember cost-of-living allowances
- $20 million at Malmstrom AFB to support nuclear weapon operations at the GBSD Commercial Entrance Control Facility
- $238 million at Malmstrom AFB to support nuclear weapon operations at the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Facility
- $14.8 million for the Montana National Guard Readiness Center in Malta, specifically for their vehicle maintenance shop.