Gallego Touts Arizona Wins in National Defense Authorization Act
After ten years of service on the House Armed Services Committee, today was Rep. Gallego’s final House NDAA vote.
NDAA includes many Gallego-secured provisions that bolster Arizona’s role in protecting our national security
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, voted in favor of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation includes provisions Rep. Gallego secured to strengthen our national security and keep Arizonans safe.
After ten years of service on the House Armed Services Committee – during which he became the highest-ranking Latino in the Committee’s history – today was Rep. Gallego’s final House NDAA vote.
“Today, I voted for my tenth and final National Defense Authorization Act in the House. I am proud of the bipartisan work we did to achieve this bill,” said Rep. Gallego. “This legislation includes a much-deserved pay raise for our junior enlisted service members, invests in service member quality of life, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and provides the resources and authorities needed to counter our adversaries. I am particularly proud that this year’s NDAA includes provisions I secured that will help keep Arizonans safe, including through investments in our water infrastructure security and at our southern border.”
The FY 2025 NDAA includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members, a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members, and eliminates copays for eligible TRICARE beneficiaries for contraceptives. A full summary of the bill can be found HERE.
A breakdown of provisions secured by Rep. Gallego is below.
Keeping Arizonans Safe
- Authorizes $30 million for U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunnel Defense Cooperation, investing in anti-tunnel technology that will strengthen our national security and allow local law enforcement to combat cartel smuggling along Arizona’s border.
- Directs the Secretary of Defense to brief on the Department of Defense’s efforts to further strengthen the cyber security of critical infrastructure from adversary disruption, including water infrastructure that is vital to Arizonans' daily lives.
- Authorizes an additional $7.5 million for infrastructure and communications upgrades at Air Force combat training ranges, including in Arizona.
Investing in Service Members and Veterans
- Directs the Comptroller General to assess the Services' efforts to promote awareness of available tuition assistance programs.
- Directs the Secretary of Defense to brief on the effectiveness of current Credentialing Assistance Program campaigns and the potential to expand programs to support awareness.
Strengthening our Alliances and Partnerships and Countering our Adversaries
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to brief on efforts to deepen and expand security cooperation with the Baltic states through the Baltic Security Initiative.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing on the state of defense cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.