Congresswoman Tenney Votes for the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today voted in favor of the Servicemember Quality Of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 217-199. This legislation includes 30 amendments Tenney sponsored or cosponsored that support our defense and national security while banning “woke” initiatives that have compromised military lethality. 

"The National Defense Authorization Act is a critical piece of legislation that authorizes funding for our military critical defense programs and improves the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families," said Congresswoman Tenney. "This year's NDAA works to enhance our deterrence capabilities, counteracts the Chinese Communist Party’s malign influence, and improves the living conditions for servicemembers. Importantly, this year's NDAA reversed the Biden administration's dangerous request to halve the annual Virginia-Class Nuclear Submarine force, which would have a devastating impact on Indo-Pacific deterrence and our commitment to defense in that region through joint efforts with Australia, and the UK via the AUKUS program. Improving the lives of our servicemembers and their families, who make sacrifices every day for our country, was a focal point of this year's NDAA. This bill provides a 19.5% raise for junior enlisted servicemembers, improves on-post housing, ensures access to quality healthcare, and invests in greater access to childcare for military families. As a tenacious advocate for military priorities, I specifically advocated for initiatives that will benefit our servicemembers and their families stationed at Fort Drum, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and those serving across New York’s 24th Congressional District. 

"Importantly, this bill streamlines spending and safeguards billions of taxpayer dollars to ensure our hard-earned tax dollars are not used to enhance security and are not wasted on the Biden administration's dangerous "woke" policies. I supported multiple amendments that prohibit wasting funding on Green New Deal mandates, unnecessary Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, and sex reassignment surgeries. Funding for our armed forces must be focused on military readiness, enhancing our defense capabilities, and supporting our servicemembers' quality of life. 

"Included in this bill were two standalone pieces of legislation that I introduced: the FORKS Made in America Act and the Parity for Child Exploitation Offenders Act. The FORKS Made in America Act will require DOD to buy stainless steel flatware from American companies, such as Sherrill Manufacturing. The Parity for Child Exploitation Offenders Act will close loopholes that allow child predators to escape enhanced penalties for sexual crimes involving children. 

"Passing the NDAA is crucial to our defense and national security initiatives. I am eager to see this bill swiftly signed into law to reward our courageous members of the military who answer the call to serve our nation.”

Key Provisions in the FY25 NDAA:

• Authorizes a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers 
• Authorizes over $693 million to build new family housing units on and near bases 
• Authorizes over $204 million for the construction of new childcare centers
• Mandates DOD to prioritize Fort Drum for expansion of its in-home childcare program
• Expands access to DOD childcare for military spouses when seeking employment 
• Requires all military promotions be based on individual merit and demonstrated performance
• Saves taxpayers $30 billion or 4% of current DOD Spending Levels
• Prevents the DOD from unilaterally relocating the 222nd Command and Control Squadron (222 CACS) of the 107th Attack Wing of the New York Air National Guard
• Includes $63 million in non-recurring engineering expenses for the recapitalization of the LC-130H fleet operated by the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard
• Fully funds the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines

As a tenacious advocate for our military, Tenney had 30 amendments included in the FY25 NDAA, the most of any member in the House.

Background on Key Tenney Amendments included in Bill:

• Amendment 59 – Extending Reporting Requirements on the IRGC -- Section 1236 of the FY23 NDAA required a one-time report on IRGC-affiliated operatives serving in diplomatic and consular posts abroad and how DOD with the State Department was working to inform foreign countries of the threat posed by these IRGC officials. This amendment would make this an annual requirement for the next five years.
• Amendment 126 – Inserting the text of the Parity for Child Exploitation Offenders Act – Under existing law, most individuals who commit multiple sexual crimes involving children receive an enhanced penalty. This amendment closes existing loopholes to ensure all child predators receive the enhanced penalties.
• Amendment 292 – Inserting the text of the FORKS Made in America Act – This amendment permanently reinstates the requirement that DOD source their stainless steel flatware from American companies exclusively.
• Amendment 293 – Report on the Feasibility of Replicating the Future Soldier Preparatory Course – As our Nation struggles with military recruitment, the Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course has trained individuals who fall just short of the Army's physical fitness and academic requirements to help them meet the necessary thresholds. This report would require DOD to study the feasibility and costs of replicating this program throughout the other DOD branches.
• Amendment 8 – Prohibiting DOD Funds to Transport Palestinian Refugees –This Amendment prohibits DOD funds from being used to transport Palestinian refugees, as proposed by the Biden administration.
• Amendment 24 – Prohibiting Funding for Biden's Climate Change Executive Orders -- This Amendment prohibits any DOD funding from being used to implement the Biden administration's radical Green New Deal executive orders.
• Amendment 42 – Ending DEI in the Military – This Amendment would eliminate all DEI offices in the Armed Forces and all individuals employed by those offices.
• Amendment 52 – Ending DOD Funding for Gender Transitions -- This Amendment prohibits TRICARE from covering any gender hormone treatments or gender transition surgeries.
• Amendment 55 – Ending DOD Funded Abortion – This amendment would require Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to repeal his October 2022 Memo allowing DOD to fund abortion travel and would prohibit any DOD funding for abortion.

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