Wittman Applauds House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).

The FY22 NDAA authorizes funding for the United States Department of Defense for the next fiscal year and serves as the primary vehicle through which defense legislation is passed. The NDAA is historically one of Congress' most bipartisan bills as it has been passed and signed into law every year for the past six decades. Following his vote to pass the FY22 NDAA Congressman Wittman stated:

"For six decades, the National Defense Authorization Act has served as proof that Congress can still work across the aisle for the greater good of our nation. This year's passage is no different. This bill does right by our military and the American people. It fully funds our defense needs for the coming year, provides needed pay raises to our troops, funds additional ships for the Navy, and ensures our warfighters have the funding and assets needed to succeed on the battlefield. Though we may not agree on the details of every provision, we recognize the importance of this bill and the need to provide for our servicemembers and their families, the United States' military, and our national security.

"Through a Republican led effort, the FY22 NDAA boosts the defense topline by $25 billion, ensuring growth of 5%. It reverses reckless cuts to our national security, restores funding for shipbuilding, procurement, and missile defense. Through this additional funding, we are making the strategic investments necessary to secure peace through deterrence, meet the requirements outlined in our National Defense Strategy, and retain the United States' global primacy.

"As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I worked hard with my colleagues to halt President Biden's dangerous cuts to shipbuilding by providing funding for 13 new battle force ships and prohibiting the decommissioning of 2 cruisers. This decision puts the Navy back on track to building a 355-ship Navy necessary to counter China's expansionist ambitions at sea.

"Passage of this year's NDAA is not only critical for our national security, but also to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This additional funding will fuel economic growth and create jobs for hardworking Virginians. With many of these ships built, maintained, and repaired in Virginia, the Commonwealth's economy especially stands to benefit from the passage of the FY22 NDAA.

"Additionally, I'm proud that I was able to work with my Republican colleagues to strip a misinformed "red-flag" provision that would have infringed on second-amendment rights, rejected attempts to paint servicemembers as extremists, and removed the most excessive, far-left social provisions from the final product.

"Today marks a tremendous victory for the United States military, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for putting aside their differences, recognizing the importance of this legislation, and voting in favor of United States' strength and security."

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