McCarthy Secures Local Priorities in NDAA

Statement

This evening, Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement after the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

"Today, Congress passed a bipartisan NDAA bill that will arm our warfighters with what they need to protect our country and defeat our adversaries.

"Republicans were able to secure critical provisions important to our country, California, and our community, like: authorizing a 2.7% pay increase for servicemembers; prohibiting a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who decline a COVID vaccine; prioritizing water resiliency and water storage; holding this administration accountable for the horrific withdrawal in Afghanistan; and the sanctioning of Nord Stream 2 to keep Russia accountable.

"We will continue to ensure that our military always has the resources it needs to defend our nation at home and abroad, as well as make smart investments that protect our future interests."

PRIORITIES SECURED BY McCARTHY:

State and Country

Secured provision to require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on water resources at military installations in the West. This provision helps military departments make wise decisions to ensure efficient management and storage of water and to model future requirements.
A provision to waive the waiting period for certain military retirees to be employed at any Major Range and Test Facility Bases (which includes Edwards Air Force Base and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake) to retain critical knowledge of defense missions and capabilities.
A provision to raise the minor military construction authority limit from $6 million to $8 million which provides more flexibility to execute military construction projects efficiently.
Edwards Air Force Base

Secured authorization for an additional $4 million, for a total of $44 million when combined with Fiscal Year 2021 Defense legislation, for the Flight Test Engineering Lab Complex. The additional funds would enhance flight test capabilities and technology advancement to strengthen and modernize our military.
Secured amendment to include provision to require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit assessments identifying opportunities for the AFRL Rocket Lab to achieve the most cutting edge of technology to Congress for fiscal years 2023 and 2025.
Secured the provision as a reoccurring biannual requirement to require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit assessments identifying opportunities for the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) to test advanced technology to enhance our nation's defense capabilities.
Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake

Secured authorization for the $9.12 million for the Solar Energy Storage System project which would install an energy storage system to secure solar energy and assist in effectively managing energy for critical and community support facilities during extreme temperature conditions.
Secured provisions to require the Secretary of the Navy to submit assessments identifying opportunities for NAWS China Lake and the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) to provide state-of-the-art technology to the warfighter.
Secured provision to continue to oversee the previously secured $3.3B for the 2019 earthquake rebuilding efforts at the installation.
Mojave Air and Space Port

Secured authorization of $50 million and provision to improve the Tactically Responsive Space Launch Program to leverage commercial space launches occurring at locations like Mojave for national defense purposes.

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