{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/wilson-committee-passage-fy24-ndaa", "Wilson on Committee Passage of FY24 NDAA", "2023-06-22", "2023", "2023-06", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Wilson, Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee completed the markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024:\n\n\u201cI was grateful to have voted for the committee passage of the bipartisan FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which supports funding for critical missions in my district. Congress has a duty to ensure our Armed Forces are prepared to face the threats of today and tomorrow, and this NDAA not only prioritizes increasing our capability, but it also ensures that our service members are taken care of both professionally and personally.\n\n\u201cAs a veteran and father with four sons who have served in this nation\u2019s military, I am deeply committed to ensuring the Department of Defense (DoD) has every available resource to deter our adversaries, support our allies, strengthen our communities, and, if necessary, fight and win against hostile aggressors.\u201d\n\nHIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FY24 NDAA\n\nIncreased Pay for Service Members\n\n\u201cOur service members\u2019 pay should reflect the realities of inflation and the sacrifices they make to serve our Nation. The 5.2% increase in this year\u2019s NDAA will solidify support for our service members and their families, ensuring they are able to meet their basic needs. I will always remain an advocate for the quality of life of our service members and their families.\u201d\n\nModernizing our Nuclear Triad for Deterrence\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA establishes December 31st, 2035, as the deadline for the new Tritium Finishing Facility to be built, replacing a 1950\u2019s era installation within the existing Savannah River Tritium Enterprise. The Savannah River Site, in Aiken County, is the only location in the country that produces tritium for our nuclear weapons. The establishment of this deadline ensures this vital facility is funded and prevents any unnecessary delays.\n\n\u201cI was also grateful to have voted against an amendment that would have removed the mandated deadlines for the development of plutonium pits to support our Nation\u2019s nuclear deterrent. Moving them would send the message that our deterrent capabilities are a lesser priority. I appreciate that the Republican-led committee reaffirmed this important capability and is focused on meeting current statutory timelines.\u201d\n\nProtective Equipment Modernization\n\n\u201cI am committed to ensuring our Nation\u2019s service members are equipped with the best equipment to carry out their duties without hindrance. Our service members deserve the same level of attention to their equipment as a professional athlete.\n\n\u201cMy amendment in the FY24 NDAA directs the DoD to provide Congress with an assessment of the efforts to modernize protective equipment as directed by my language in the FY21 NDAA.\u201d\n\nSupporting Military Families with Special Needs\n\n\u201cFor military families who have special needs or disabilities, navigating resources can be a disruptive and overwhelming process when they make a permanent change of station. My amendment included in this year\u2019s NDAA, requires the DoD to conduct a study to assess the need for additional training for providers that work with Exceptional Family Member Program dependents to ensure their standards meet the needs and ease the adjustment for special needs families.\u201d\n\nSecure PiLT Funding for Savannah River Site Communities\n\n\u201cAs the only Member of Congress to have worked at the Savannah River Site, I know how critical the communities surrounding the Site are to supporting its mission. This bill includes full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PiLT) for the counties of Aiken, Barnwell, and Allendale.\n\n\u201cThe Savannah River Site covers over 310 square miles and spans three counties. PiLT funding goes to these counties to support schools, emergency services, and county operations that would have otherwise received taxes through development on that property.\u201d\n\nPreventing Divisive and Radical Agendas Within the Military\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA supports strategic deterrence initiatives, modernization of our critical weapons systems, and most importantly, the needs of service members and their families. Our military has already succeeded in bringing together people of all backgrounds to serve in the United States Armed Forces and uphold the Constitution. Our military readiness depends on the rejection of divisive and unnecessary programs to promote certain agendas.\u201d\n\nPromoting Defense Research Projects at South Carolina Universities\n\n\u201cI was grateful to champion continued authorizations for defense research projects and programs at South Carolina colleges and universities in the FY24 NDAA. This will provide for ongoing quality, high-paying jobs and lead to additional opportunities to strengthen a homegrown workforce. The ingenuity of our students in technology and engineering fields is an asset to our Nation. Their contributions and abilities in cybersecurity and remote capabilities contributes greatly to our national defense. South Carolina is home to multiple DoD installations, and these programs play such a positive role in promoting community and cooperation between universities and our military.\u201d\n\nPromoting Defense Research and Development Cooperation between the United States and Israel\n\n\u201cThe United States and Israel are leaders in the development of defensive capabilities and technologies to address shared threats. I was grateful that my bill, the US-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023, which provides for additional developmental cooperation between the United States and Israel, was included in the Chairman\u2019s Mark of the FY24 NDAA. This is a mutually beneficial initiative that fast tracks cutting edge development and financially benefits both countries.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:08:25Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/wilson-committee-passage-fy24-ndaa"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.06235283985734, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}