On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY25 NDAA). Members of Congress from states such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona provided their thoughts on the bill. 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voted in favor of the measure, while 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voted in opposition (281-140).
FY25 NDAA - The Issue at Stake
The measure will send $895 billion to the Pentagon (which hasn’t passed an audit in seven years) but provides pay increases for America’s troops. In short, the bill made lawmakers decipher a “conservative enigma” as a large amount of government spending is going toward funding the military and its troops.
Florida Representatives on the NDAA
Representative Laurel Lee (R) gave a positive outlook on the bill. She emphasized the increased pay for U.S. soldiers in a statement following the bill’s passage.
“This year’s NDAA has critical wins for our nation’s military to make sure they are taken care of while also ensuring they remain a world-class fighting force in the world. With a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers, a 4.5% increase for all other ranks, improved housing for our military families, and other benefits, Florida servicemembers and their families will be supported. I am proud to support the FY25 NDAA to ensure our military is taken care of and has the resources needed to keep our nation safe,” said Rep. Laurel Lee.
Florida Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R) added that NDAA FY25 “prioritizes the safety and security of the American people” and that it “[enhances] our servicemembers' quality of life by increasing compensation for junior enlisted personnel, improving housing conditions, ensuring access to medical care and childcare, supporting military spouses, building new schools for servicemembers' children, and providing enhanced career transition assistance, among other critical initiatives.”
However, Representative Greg Steube (R) was not a fan of the legislation.
Why would we pass a Democrat-supported NDAA when a Republican Senate will be sworn in just 22 days? Why would we bind Pete Hegseth on a Biden abortion travel policy through the DoD for the entire next year? Why would we hamstring the next administration for a year with leftist…
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) December 11, 2024
“Why would we pass a Democrat-supported NDAA when a Republican Senate will be sworn in just 22 days? Why would we bind Pete Hegseth on a Biden abortion travel policy through the DoD for the entire next year?" said Rep. Steube. He continued, "Why would we hamstring the next administration for a year with leftist DEI policies? Republicans are about to have control of the House, Senate, and White House. We should act like it.”
Texas Representatives on the NDAA
Texas Congressman Troy Nehls (R) described the bill as a piece of “critical legislation” that “combats the Left’s woke and radical ideology” and puts guardrails on the Department of Defense.
“Today, I voted ‘YES’ to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025,” said Congressman Nehls. “This legislation authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% raise for all other servicemembers. Additionally, this critical legislation combats the Left’s woke and radical ideology by banning our defense department from providing transgender medical treatments for children. Additionally, this legislation prohibits critical race theory in military academies. Further, this bill increases oversight and accountability of the Department of Defense (DOD).”
Moreover, Congressman Chip Roy (R) said that this bill is something he’s “not going to be able to vote for.”
“It’s A Bill I’m Not Going To Be Able To Vote For.” @RepChipRoy On NDAA pic.twitter.com/U701Abz8Bz
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) December 11, 2024
Texas Congressman Keith Self (R) also voted against the measure.
Arizona Representatives on the NDAA
Senator-elect and out-going Representative Ruben Gallego (D) said he was “proud of bipartisan work” that went into this year’s version of the NDAA. He voted for the measure.
“Today, I voted for my tenth and final National Defense Authorization Act in the House. I am proud of the bipartisan work we did to achieve this bill,” said Rep. Gallego. “This legislation includes a much-deserved pay raise for our junior enlisted service members, invests in service member quality of life, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and provides the resources and authorities needed to counter our adversaries. I am particularly proud that this year’s NDAA includes provisions I secured that will help keep Arizonans safe, including through investments in our water infrastructure security and at our southern border.”
Representatives Eli Crane (R), Paul Gosar (R), and Andy Biggs (R) voted against the bill.
