Congressman Veasey (TX-33) Joins Colleagues to Pass Bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives today to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that honors our values, protects our national security, helps our nation's brave servicemembers, and bring our defense into the modern era. This year's sweeping package also includes Veasey-led amendments that will create and protect existing North Texas jobs in our defense sector, counter extremism in our military, identify best practices that support the health and well-being of our military and their families, and institute pay parity for our guardsmen.

"Today, I voted in favor of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA)," said Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33). "For the Metroplex, this legislation ensures that we continue to fund vital national security programs that are essential to our local economy, counters extremism in our Armed Forces, identifies best practices that support the health and well-being of our military, and ensures pilots and other specialized personnel in the National Guard are paid fairly for their work."

Congress has passed NDAAs every year for 60 consecutive years that provide the Department of Defense and the men and women who serve our country with the tools to meet the ever-changing national security threats that our nation faces. This year's defense bill focuses on transforming DoD to better deter our adversaries while taking advantage of new, innovative technologies and implementing more cost-effective approaches to develop and acquire crucial platforms. This year's NDAA Veasey-led amendments that will help North Texas and our nation's servicemembers include:

- Multiple provisions that will create and protect existing jobs for hardworking Americans across the Metroplex by bolstering funding to vital North Texas-based defense programs.

- Countering Extremism in the Armed Forces Act, which establishes an Office of Countering Extremism to develop and oversee policy in addressing extremism. It also prohibits membership in an extremist organization for members of the armed services, and gives the Secretary of Defense authority to utilize social media to look into individuals with a history of extremism.

- A feasibility study on the establishment of a clearinghouse of evidence-based practices to prevent sexual assault, suicide, and other harmful behaviors among members of the Armed Forces and military families. This will provide practical guidance on how these practices can be implemented and steps for monitoring success.

- National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act, which ensures pilots and other specialized personnel in the National Guard are paid fairly for their work