Gallagher: NDAA Helps Build More Lethal Fighting Force, Includes Major Wins for Northeast Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel, secured major wins in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House Armed Services Committee this morning. The NDAA is the legislative vehicle that authorizes spending for the Department of Defense, and as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Gallagher is responsible for helping draft this legislation.

Following the Committee's overwhelming bipartisan vote to advance the FY2023 NDAA, Rep. Gallagher released the following statement.

"For the second year in a row, President Biden submitted a defense budget that cut real defense spending and failed to keep up with the growing threats our country faces. And for the second year in a row, Republicans and Democrats came together to reject his inadequate proposal and help ensure the Department of Defense has the resources it needs to keep Americans safe.

"This year's NDAA learns from the failure of deterrence in Ukraine and moves with a sense of urgency to better resource America's posture in the Indo-Pacific. Not only does it address Indo-Pacom's unfunded priorities, but it also establishes a billion-dollar Seize the Initiative fund to help Indo-Pacom turbocharge urgently needed infrastructure and posture-related efforts. It sets the table to enhance operational command and control structures in the Indo-Pacific before a crisis erupts. It reverses the Biden administration's disastrous plan to shrink the Navy and ultimately adds ships to the fleet -- including an additional Constellation-class frigate built by the hardworking men and women of Marinette Marine. And it also makes overdue investments in critical munitions, including establishing a system to procure additional sets of long-lead materials.

"While there is still work to be done, this NDAA helps build a more lethal fighting force and provides a framework we can continue to build upon as we move this vital legislation forward."

The bill included a number of Gallagher-led provisions, including:

• $1 billion Seize the Initiative fund for US Indo-Pacific Command;
• Authorization to construct a second frigate in FY 23;
• Language that codifies the Navy's critical role in peacetime deterrence;
• A ban on the use of DJI drones by DoD contractors;
• A pilot program to stockpile priority semiconductors that enable critical defense systems;
• Enhanced munitions stockpile requirements, reporting, supply chain analysis, and a long-lead materials pool;
• Additional funding for the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet,
• A study on operational command and control structures for contingency response in the Indo-Pacific; and
• Authorization of enhanced missile defense capabilities for Guam.

Following the markup, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, said,"Our military is nothing without the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. A veteran himself, Rep. Gallagher has worked tirelessly as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel to ensure that the FY23 NDAA provides our warfighters with the tools they need to increase lethality and win in conflict."

Click HERE to watch the mark-up.