Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the NDAA, which is, admittedly, a work in progress. We have seen in prior years the conference process produce even more wins for our military families like paid family leave. It is my hope that we will look at restoration of rank and backpay for servicemembers who were forced out, but the wins in this bill for military families ought to inspire every Member of this body to vote for the NDAA.

I particularly draw attention to the investments in childcare. I hear about childcare at almost every installation in the country I visit and the investment we are making of over $200 million brings us directionally correct, caring for those military families. It is critically important to vote for.

I point also to the boost in compensation for our junior enlisted and the over $600 million investment in housing. When we take care of these quality-of-life issues for our military families, we see a direct, positive impact in our readiness, in our retention, in our recruitment, all the things that I know unite us in a bipartisan fashion.

Mr. Chair, we should vote for this bill and then we should continue our great work to make it even better.

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