Suffolk Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a Navy veteran and member of the Armed Services Committee, released a statement today following the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the Armed Services Committee. The bill includes several of LaLota’s policy priorities aimed at maintaining the strength of the U.S. military.

“The NDAA is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress passes every year, addresses our national security, takes on our adversaries, and delivers well-overdue provisions to improve morale, recruitment, retention, and quality of life among servicemembers and their families," said LaLota. "As we wrap up Military Appreciation Month, I am especially proud of the bipartisan work our Committee has done to produce one of the strongest and best NDAAs in recent memory."

LaLota highlighted key provisions he secured in the bill: "I was proud to secure several of my priorities in this bill, including improving legal protections for servicemembers abroad, increasing the Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) calculation back to 100% of local housing costs, a 15% pay raise for most junior enlisted personnel, securing $14 million for Gabreski Airport, and fully funding child care fee assistance programs."

The House Armed Services Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that U.S. military policies and resources are adequate for national defense. The NDAA is an annual bipartisan bill that authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the Department of Defense.

This year's NDAA includes several initiatives championed by LaLota:

- Authorizing a 15% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel.

- Allocating $14 million for an Air National Guard Combat Rescue Helicopter Simulator at Francis Gabreski Airport.

- Increasing BAH calculation back to 100% of local housing costs and directing DoD to review current BAH rates on Long Island.

- Requiring a comprehensive review report on legal protections for servicemembers abroad.

- Fully funding child care fee assistance programs.

- Supporting local-level defense supplier manufacturing training programs.

- Increasing authorized funding to $7 million for the Deep Submergence Collective Propulsion program.

- Increasing authorized funding to $77.5 million for joint R&D with Israel on emerging technologies and anti-tunneling cooperation.

- Directing a report on progress in utility-scale quantum computing under US2QC program.

- Authorizing $64 million for capital improvement projects at United States Merchant Marine Academy.

- Establishing a Naval Innovation Center at Naval Postgraduate School.

- Including military service academies in Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.

- Enhancing small business development within DoD's critical technology sectors.

- Promoting domestic battery manufacturing for military applications.

- Authorizing $271 million for F-15X advance procurement.

- Funding drone-based automated inspection technologies pilot program with $10 million.

- Increasing Network Tactical Common Data Link funding by $10 million.

- Engaging SBA to train procurement personnel on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses awards.

- Requiring DoD contract solicitations to be written in plain language.

- Clarifying competitive grant process for Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program Grant.

- Evaluating respiratory protection technology requirements within DoD.

- Studying implications of foreign acquisition of U.S.-owned testing laboratories.

The next step is ensuring this critical bill becomes law in the coming months.

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