Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Delivers Big Win for Rome Lab, Votes to Pass Bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today voted to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included six of her amendments. This includes a $10 million provision that would establish a quantum network computing testbed program at the Air Force Research Laboratory known as “Rome Lab.” The NDAA passed the House by vote of 316-113.
“The National Defense Authorization Act reverses President Biden’s disastrous cuts to our military and advances many of our most important national security objectives,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “It holds the Administration accountable for its calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, invests $118 billion in cutting-edge research, provides our warfighters with a 2.7% pay raise, and prohibits funding for medical research in China. It also ensures members of the military who choose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be dishonorably discharged. I was especially pleased that the bill included six of my amendments, including one to establish a quantum network computing testbed. This is a huge win for Rome Lab that will boost our nation’s technological capabilities and support our region’s economic growth.”
Key Provisions of NDAA:
Provides $768.1 billion for our national defense. This Includes a Republican amendment boosting the defense topline by nearly $25 billion, ensuring growth of 5 percent over FY21.
Reverses President Biden’s reckless cuts to our national security by restoring funding for shipbuilding, procurement, and missile defense.
Authorizes a 2.7% pay increase for service members.
Includes more than 20 provisions to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. This includes a requirement for the Department of Defense to immediately submit a plan to Congress on how it will support the evacuation of American citizens from Afghanistan and continue our vital counterterrorism mission. It also prohibits the Department of Defense from supporting the Taliban and authorizes $250 million to conduct ongoing counterterrorism operations in the country.
Prohibits service members from being dishonorably discharged for choosing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Provides $118 billion in funding for the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation budget, which is an increase of more than $6 billion over President Biden’s initial budget request.
Authorizes over $1.3 billion in new aircraft, equipment, and weapon systems for the National Guard and Reserve.
Limits the Department of Defense’s reliance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from foreign adversaries.
Background on Tenney’s Amendments Included in Bill:
Quantum Network Computing Testbed: Establishes a quantum network computing testbed program within the Department of the Air Force to develop a proof-of-concept quantum network testbed that may be accessed by prototype quantum computers at a $10 million funding level. This amendment directly benefits the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York.
China Watcher Program: Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to establish a China Watcher Program at diplomatic and consular posts abroad. This requirement would position the United States to better identify and counter the People’s Republic of China’s malign activity.
Reporting Language on Iran’s military capabilities: Inserts a section to the NDAA’s report language that requires a detailed report on Iran’s military capabilities regarding the proliferation of arms and weapons both to and from Iran. In the absence of an arms embargo, it is vital for the United States to continue to monitor the transfer, supply, and sale of arms and related material, this includes spare parts, to and from the Iranian government. Iran continues utilizing an arsenal of conventional weapons to destabilize the Middle East and fuel terrorism in the region.
Reporting on UN Arms Embargo on Iran: Requires a report on the effectiveness of the United Nations arms embargo on Iran that expired in October 2020. The report would detail the way the Department of Defense monitors and ensures Iran is not transferring, selling, or supplying weapons or related material in the absence of a U.N. arms embargo. Allowing countries like China and Russia to buy or sell arms to Iran aggravates tensions in the region and supplies terrorist proxies with highly capable weapons, increasing security threats to Israel and other peaceful nations.
Report on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated operatives: Requires a report on the status of IRGC-affiliated operatives that are currently serving in diplomatic and consular posts abroad. The IRGC is a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and it continues to place its officials in diplomatic and consular posts around the world. The US should be actively tracking these terrorist operatives to reduce the IRGC’s ability to carry out malign activities on us and our allies.
Report on the Syrian President’s net worth: Requires the State Department to submit a report on the net worth of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family members, including spouse, children, siblings, as well as paternal and maternal cousins, including income from corrupt or illicit activities. In coordination with US sanctions enforcement against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, it is important to monitor the rampant corruption to ensure that funds are not directed to terrorist groups and malign activities.