WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA).
“The NDAA represents a major commitment to our Armed Forces and Louisiana. Congress is responsible for providing our servicemen and women with the weapons and technology to address security threats. The FY25 NDAA refocuses the Department of Defense on lethality and force readiness. In Louisiana, we’re working to prioritize our bases, protect small shipyards, and lead on the development of autonomous systems.”
The bill authorizes funding for programs and facilities in Louisiana, which includes:
- $12 million for the Navy’s 40-foot patrol boat program.
- $30 million to produce the Navy’s Yard, Repair, Berthing, Messing (YRBM) vessel.
- Language prioritizing development and procurement of Small Unmanned Surface Vessels (sUSVs).
- Extends the lifecycle of F-15E aircraft and requires a study of the aircraft’s capabilities to support the Louisiana National Guard.
- $33 million for the Louisiana Army National Guard’s Lafayette Readiness Center.
- $50 million for a Rotational Unit Billeting Area for Fort Johnson.
- $116 million authorized for a Joint Operations Center at Fort Johnson.
- $22 million authorized above the President’s Budget Request for a Child Development Center at Barksdale Air Force Base.
- An assessment to help Gulf Coast states improve alternate strategic seaport operational readiness and facility standards.
- A requirement for the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to expedite the review of Deepwater Port Applications for Delfin LNG.
Additionally, the bill takes corrective action to eliminate woke policies championed under the Biden-Harris administration. These conservative policy wins include:
- Limiting new DEI positions by establishing a hiring freeze for these positions at the Department of Defense (DOD).
- Prohibiting “gender-affirming” care for minors.
- Prohibits any funding to be provided for critical race theory in DOD schools.
- Strengthens provisions countering our adversaries including China, Russia, and Iran.
