Congressman Bishop Supports Bill That Invests in the People and Industries That Make America's National Defense Strong
Press Release
oday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted to approve H.R. 7900, the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill authorizes $839 billion in funds that will improve pay for service members and their families as well as be used to build, maintain, and innovate the weapons and resources that will allow the United States to confront security challenges, at home and abroad. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 329-101 and now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
"Through hard work and bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House has crafted a national defense bill which supports our service members and cares for their families. It also invests in the scientists and workers that develop cutting-edge technology and build our military so that it can protect us at home and abroad," said Congressman Bishop. "This bill ensures our armed services are the strongest and most powerful in the world, sending a clear message to our allies, partners, and adversaries."
Some of the bill's important provisions include:
A well-earned raise for service members and their families, including a 4.6% pay raise for service members and civilian personnel, 2.4% inflation bonuses for service members earning less than $45,000/year and a $15/hour minimum wage for workers on federal service and construction contracts.
Support for HBCUs and other minority serving institutions, allocating over $111 million for research activities at HBCUs and establishing a pilot program to increase research capacity at minority-serving institutions.
New investments in science and technology competitiveness, including $275 million in additional funding for next-generation capabilities in hypersonics, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and software.
Supply chain security, including an assessment of dual-use technology that the Chinese Communist Party might exploit and improving risk management in DoD supply chains involving pharmaceutical products.
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