WASHINGTON – Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) released the following statement on his vote to pass the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. 

“From Beijing to Moscow, America’s enemies have seen Democrats in Washington prioritize wokeness and weakness over patriotism and strength. The Biden defense budget funneled taxpayer dollars into DEI initiatives, abortions, CRT, and drag shows, failing to meet this critical moment as our adversaries tirelessly endeavor to destabilize the rules based international order. The Department of Defense must maintain focus on providing our brave servicemen and women the tools, resources and leadership needed to keep America safe, prosperous, and free. House Republicans made a commitment to provide for our national defense and end the erosion of American military prowess from divisive progressive policies. The FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) delivers on that promise by providing critical investments in defense modernization, aggressive oversight on Ukraine aid, the largest military pay increase in 20 years, and countering the aggression of our adversaries – all while saving Americans billions of dollars.” 

Background on the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

• Supports a 5.2% increase in servicemember pay – the largest raise in over 20 years
• Counters Communist China’s aggression by strengthening homeland defense, increasing support for Taiwan and our Pacific Allies, and modernizing deterrence, including over 15 bipartisan recommendations from the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the US and the CCP 
• Ends wokeness in the military and restores the focus of our military on lethality by banning Critical Race Theory, blocking DEI overreach, prohibiting drag shows, protecting parents’ rights, and preventing a military Green New Deal 
• Rescinds the Biden administration’s proposal to shrink the U.S. Navy
• Provides assistance to the 8,000 servicemembers discharged for failing to take the COVID-19 vaccine and gives a path back to service 
• Increases oversight and demands accountability from the Biden administration 
• Strengthens strategic deterrence, missile defense, and hypersonic capabilities, rapidly deploying innovative new technologies our warfighters need to prevail on future battlefields
• Saves taxpayers $40 billion or 5% of current defense spending levels by cutting inefficient defense programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy

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