Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3)
Washington, DC—December 14, 2023…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. The annual legislation, which includes several Womack-supported provisions, includes resources to equip our troops, support military families, enhance defense capabilities, strengthen military readiness, and modernize the force.
Congressman Womack said, “Throughout my service in Congress, it’s been a top priority of mine to support our men and women serving in America’s uniform. This year’s NDAA focuses solely on that mission, free of the far-left’s agenda. It includes elements necessary to equip our troops and protect the homeland, including a 5.2% pay raise for our servicemembers, support for securing the southern border and halting illicit drug trafficking, authorization of funding for Fort Smith’s FMS mission, and vital provisions to deter China. This FY24 NDAA greatly benefits Arkansas’ Third and our nation. Although an important step forward, let us not forget we must pass full-year defense appropriations before our constitutional duty to provide for our common defense is complete.”
Authorizations in the bill Womack strongly supports
Authorizes $75.989 million for Ebbing Air National Guard Base construction projects.
5.2% pay raise for service members and authorizes a monthly bonus for Junior Enlisted.
Prohibits instruction related to Critical Race Theory (CRT) at Service Academies and other Department of Defense (DOD) schools.
Authorizes the former Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas the National Cold War Center.
Authorizes the DOD to make grants of up to $2.75 million to the State of Arkansas to provide security and fire protection services for the Army and Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, AR.
Refines a parent’s Bill of Rights for parents of children attending DOD schools affording the right to review curriculum, materials, and disciplinary policies.
Requires the DOD to provide a path to reinstate servicemembers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and treats the discharge period as a career intermission.
Extends recruiting/retention bonuses to help address recruiting shortfalls.
Authorizes $14.7 billion for Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) to include training, operations, expedited construction of defense infrastructure, and prepositioned stocks.
Establishes a Joint Energetics Transition Office to improve domestic manufacture of energetic materials.
Authorizes increased funding for the National Guard border deployments and work with law enforcement to disrupt illicit drug trafficking.
Passport support:
Requires notices to passports urging travelers to check travel advisories and renew their passports no later than one year before expiring.
Requires the State Department publish estimated processing times on its website every quarter.
Requires State to take steps to notify passport holders a year before their passports expire.
Directs State to work to reach agreements with nations to allow for the use of US passports that are within six months of expiration.
The FY24 NDAA will now advance to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.