Congressman Jason Crow Applauds Senate Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) today applauds final Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, which will authorize Department of Defense spending for the coming fiscal year. As part of the $768.2 billion funding bill, Congress passed at least eleven Crow-led priorities that will help position Colorado to lead as the United States confronts unprecedented challenges at home and abroad. The final bill also includes Crow-led legislation to establish a Global War on Terrorism memorial on the National Mall. It will now move to the President's desk to be signed into law.

This NDAA puts our hardworking service men and women first by authorizing a 2.7 percent pay increase for our service men and women. By making key investments to modernize military infrastructure and fortify the technological advantage of the world's most powerful military, this defense spending will ensure the United States has the tools to confront growing threats like China and Russia.

"This defense budget will help ensure our national security, while positioning Colorado to lead the way in our defense. With critical investments in our space defense, biosecurity technology, and clean energy, Coloradans will be helping make America stronger and safer," said Congressman Jason Crow.

"This NDAA also gives a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and honors our veterans. Those of us who have served know the transformative power of a sacred place where the American people can come to reflect, remember, and heal. I'm proud to have passed my and Rep. Gallagher's bill, delivering a permanent tribute in our Nation's Capital to honor those who served this country over the past 20 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Building this monument on the National Mall will go a long way in honoring the service and sacrifice of our troops during the Global War on Terror,"Congressman Crow continued.

Congressman Crow passed at least eleven of his priorities in the Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA, and made progress on numerous long-term policy priorities, including:

Positioning Coloradans to lead in the 21st Century:

• Establishing a University Consortium for Space Technology

• Authorizes $10 million for the establishment of a university consortium for space technology development which will support the Space Force's research and development efforts
• University of Colorado's leadership in this field positions it as a foremost candidate to lead the consortium's efforts

• Report on Technology Solutions to Counter the Small Unmanned Drone Threat

• Requires plan to expedite the development and fielding of counter-drone technologies
• Colorado is leading the way in the development of these technologies

Supporting Our Servicemembers:

• Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act(Co-Led with Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08)

• Authorizes the establishment of a memorial for servicemembers of the Global War on Terrorism on the National Mall in Washington, DC

• Realizing Efforts for Military Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REMEDI Act (Co-led with Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03))

· Updates outdated diversity training requirements for our military to include discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, and other topics.

· The last time the Department of Defense codified diversity training requirements was over 20 years ago.

• Havana Syndrome Service Member Support Act(Co-led with Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH-10) and Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-02))

• Establishes a cross-functional team to address challenges posed by Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), aka "Havana Syndrome"
• Ensures those affected by AHIs receive timely and comprehensive care by integrating cross-agency efforts
• Directs Secretary of Defense to appoint an Under Secretary to lead the cross-functional team

• Reporting on Defense Biosecurity

• Directs the Department of Defense to report biosecurity efforts and its ongoing efforts to protect servicemembers' information and privacy

Addressing Climate Change and Securing Base Resilience:

• Completion of Installation Resilience Master Plans

• Requires each military service to complete master plans for their two most at-risk installations within one year.
• This provision ensures implementation of the MIRA Act, which Military Installation Resilience Assuredness (MIRA) Act, which improves the security and resilience of military installations that are vulnerable to the damaging effects of extreme weather and climate change

• Military Installation Resilience (MIR) in Existing Defense Strategies

• Requires service secretaries to consider installation resilience when making strategic decisions regarding installations and developing Defense Planning Guidance

• Accurate Data for Defense Resiliency (ADD Resiliency) Act (Co-led with Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Jim Langevin (D-RI-02))

• Ensures the Department of Defense uses accurate analytical tools in projecting lifecycle costs and performance potential of energy resilience measures

• Integrating Military Installation Resilience Considerations into Systems Acquisition

• Requires the Department of Defense to develop recommendations on integrating resilience considerations into its purchases
• Would move the Department of Defense towards making more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly purchasing decisions

Ensuring Accountability in the Military:

• The Transparency in Reporting for an Accurate Count of Combat Equipment (TRACCE) Act(Co-Led with Congressman Scott Franklin (R-FL-15))

• Requires annual report on missing, lost, and stolen weapons, large amounts of ammunition, and explosive material from the Department of Defense
• Reporting suggests thousands of military weapons have gone missing, and some have been involved in shootings, robberies, and gang activity

• Afghanistan Oversight

• Requires in-depth reports and briefings to Congress to ensure there is transparency and ongoing oversight of the developing security situation in Afghanistan
• Will provide critical information on U.S. ability to counter terrorism, accountability on military equipment left in the country, and the plan to rescue American citizens and Afghan allies who remain in the country.

The NDAA will now proceed to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.

See a full explainer on the expansive bill here.