Amata Hails Passage of 5.2% Military Pay Raise and Pacific Security in NDAA
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming bipartisan House passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 310-118, sending the legislation to President Biden to sign into law, and she especially highlights the pay raise for the military and the support for Pacific security.
This major annual legislation authorizes Pentagon operations across the board, with the 5.2 percent pay increase for our troops, and Pacific security measures, including $14.7 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, strengthening U.S. commitment to a free and open Pacific region, and deterrence related to the government of China. The bill supports more training and advising for Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific Campaigning Initiative to boost exercises by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and implementation of the AUKUS partnership among allies. Congresswoman Amata on Thursday took part in a discussion of AUKUS with the Honorable Pat Conroy, MP, who is Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, along with Members of Congress Young Kim (R-CA), Ami Bera (D-CA), and Ed Case (D-CA).
Congresswoman Amata speaking in a meeting Thursday discussing AUKUS with the Hon. Pat Conroy, MP, Australia, and Members of Congress Young Kim, Ed Case and Ami Bera
The bill passed in the Senate this week with a bipartisan 85-15 vote, following negotiations between Senate and House leaders. NDAA is among Congress's most significant legislation each year, authorizing $886 billion overall, and this is now the 63rd straight year for the legislation to be successfully passed and signed into law.
“Most of all, I welcome this pay raise for our military to help our Service Members and military families, especially as food and many basics cost more than just a few years ago,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Since so many of our people serve, legislation affecting our military or veterans is always important to our islands. This Defense bill also strengthens the recent growing emphasis on U.S. commitment to the Pacific region, and continued implementation of AUKUS, which is key. Finally, we must keep the peace through strength by supporting our military’s training, equipping and staffing, along with other priorities for our military families.”
The NDAA provides for all Department of Defense activities, including supporting our Armed Forces personnel; military construction and housing; weapons systems and modernization; equipment and training; health care within the military; cybersecurity; research and development; and national security programs including those in the Department of Energy.
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