Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), who represents Davis–Monthan Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca, today celebrated the passage of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress’ annual package to support our military and national defense strategy. 

“Congress has a responsibility to ensure our military has the necessary resources to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad and this bill confidently fulfills that duty,” said Ciscomani. “This year’s NDAA makes great strides in supporting our troops and their families, prioritizing our military readiness, and combatting evolving threats like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Russia, Iran, and North Korea. From a pay raise for our servicemembers to strengthened resources for our missile defenses, this package provides our military with the resources they need to tackle the growing challenges we face around the world and keep Americans safe both at home and abroad.” 

Congressman Ciscomani joined his colleagues in spearheading the inclusion of the following amendments:

• A bipartisan provision to establish a National Digital Reserve Corps, a group of civilians with relevant skills to address digital and cyber needs in the federal government.
• An effort to train Israeli pilots to operate KC-46As, a critical tool to bolster Israel’s defenses and deter Iranian aggression. 

The congressman also supported the below provisions in the NDAA, among others:

• Gives our troops a 5.2 percent pay raise – the largest in two decades.
• Fully funds the National Guard’s operations at the border.
• Reaffirms U.S. support for Taiwan.
• Provides new audit and oversight into Ukraine aid.
• Reinstates servicemembers who were discharged for failure to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
• Authorizes additional funds for new military housing.
• Outlines new resources for mental health services within Department of Defense.
• Fully funds the modernization of the nuclear triad.
• Enhances our security cooperation with Israel.
• Prohibits defense contracting with EcoHealth Alliance and consulting firms with ties to Communist China.
• Fixes military systems to prevent the unauthorized release of servicemembers records. 

Original source can be found here.