WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA). The bipartisan legislation supports service members and their families, strengthens military readiness, and enhances national security. Several provisions Senator Capito advocated for or championed were included in this legislation and stand to benefit West Virginia.

Senator Capito issued the below statement after the Senate passed the NDAA by a vote of 85-14:

“Amid global conflict, instability across the world, and military buildups by our adversaries, it is critical that we strengthen our own national defense,” Senator Capito said. “By passing the NDAA, we are working in a bipartisan way to set priorities for our nation’s armed forces that shore up defenses at home, support our troops with pay raises, and counter the threats posed by America’s adversaries. In the bill, I helped secure a number of provisions that support West Virginia’s role in our national defense, from personnel recruitment to critical infrastructure and munitions production. I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this incredibly important legislation, as we have for decades. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve nothing less.”

THE NDAA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS SENATOR CAPITO LED OR SUPPORTED:

  • Senator Capito’s Preserving JROTC Programs Act, which lowers the minimum enrollment requirement for JROTC programs from 100 students to 50 students. Lowering the enrollment threshold will prevent the unnecessary closure of JROTC programs around the country, including at schools in West Virginia. Senator Capito introduced a standalone version of this legislation in June of this year. More information can be found here.
  • Senator Capito’s initiative to allow government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) facilities like Allegany Ballistics Laboratory to modernize equipment and maximize efficiency amid increasing demand for the critical munitions they produce. Senator Capito’s bill language included in the NDAA would allow the refurbishment or replacement of industrial plant equipment by a contractor, all of which is government property, to be considered as in-kind payment toward a contractor’s lease.
  • Senator Capito-led report language directing the U.S. Army to present a strategy for the testing, procurement, integration, and fielding of Active Protection Systems on Army ground combat vehicles.
  • Senator Capito-led report language directing the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to protect critical undersea cables used by the Department, and to prepare a plan to restore undersea cable capabilities necessary for DoD missions.  

ADDITIONAL NDAA HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Pay Raises: Authorizes a much-needed 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members.
  • Stops DoD Green New Deal: Prohibits DoD from issuing new rules mandating preference to weapon systems with lower emissions or climate impacts rather than the most effective weapons.
  • Counter-Drone (CUAS) Priorities: Contains a number of provisions to field CUAS systems for force protection and counter drone warfare, including quicker fielding of CUAS capabilities to Air Force installations and making CUAS training and operations more efficient.
  • Child Care: Authorizes construction of additional child care centers and improves hiring to ensure child care centers are adequately staffed.
  • Chinese Espionage: Includes a variety of measures to counter Chinese espionage, malign influence, and supply chain threats.
  • Taiwan: Continues U.S. support for Taiwan through lethal assistance and training.
  • Accountability: Requires prompt notification to Congress if the Secretary of Defense is unable to perform their functions and transfers them to the Deputy Secretary.
  • Passing an Audit: Authorizes DoD to use AI and machine learning to expedite and improve audits of DoD financial statements.

Click here to view a one-pager on the bill.

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