Washington, D.C. – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) issued the following statement regarding the passage of H.R. 4350, the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House:

“Once again, the House of Representatives has fulfilled its Constitutional responsibility by passing a defense authorization for the 61^st consecutive year. Working closely with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee, we have crafted a comprehensive defense bill that advances national security and supports our service members and military families. I am especially pleased that this legislation includes a bi-partisan agreement to reverse the Administration’s proposed funding reductions and keeps our defense budget level with inflation.

“The recent debacle in Afghanistan has emboldened our adversaries, weakened our alliances, and left us vulnerable to future attacks. With our allies and enemies now questioning America’s resolve, I am determined that we remain ready to confront threats with strength. This bill delivers on this promise. I look forward to the Senate completing work on its defense bill and sending legislation to the President’s desk later this year.”

In addition to Rep. Bacon’s 21 amendments adopted by the Committee, H.R. 4350 also includes dozens of his proposals and priorities including: 

• Authorizes $778 billion for national defense programs, an amount that keeps defense spending level with inflation 
• Provides our troops a 2.7 percent pay raise and supports their families with the pay and benefits they deserve
• Ensures robust funding to modernize America’s nuclear deterrent forces including the B-21 bomber, Columbia-Class submarine, and the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent ballistic missile replacement programs
• Authorizes an increase of $20 million for USSTRATCOM’s Rapid Engineering Architecture Collaboration Hub (REACH) nuclear command, control & communications (NC3) modernization initiative
• Provides $15 million to continue a pilot program advancing civilian-military partnerships to enhance national medical surge capacity affiliated with UNMC’s NExT Project 
• Directs the Department of Defense to assess and recommend reforms to Gold Star and casualty assistance policies and programs
• Fully funds requested mission upgrades to RC-135, WC-135 and E-4B aircraft based at Offutt Air Force Base
• Deters Russian aggression by directing increased funding for the Baltic Security Initiative
• Makes improvements to Department of Defense assessment procedures for wind energy projects
• Establishes a national commission on the War in Afghanistan

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