{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-statement-on-national-defense-authorization-act-conference-proceedings", "Wicker Statement on National Defense Authorization Act Conference Proceedings", "2023-11-16", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MS", "Roger F. Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", "wicker", "https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the below statement following the official proceeding of conference action on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\u201cI appreciate my colleagues for recognizing the need to ensure that this year\u2019s national defense legislation receives a strong conference in accordance with precedent and the good working order of Congress,\u201d Wicker said. \u201cSenate Republicans worked hard to include several key provisions in this year\u2019s bill related to improving military readiness, eliminating toxic social policies, and accelerating procurement of the ships, aircraft, and munitions we need to deter China and other adversaries in the years ahead. It would be a disservice to these efforts to dispense with the traditional conference process.\n\n\u201cI look forward to working with Chairman Reed, Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith and the rest of our conferees to deliver a strong final product to the President\u2019s desk. During the most dangerous national security moment since World War II, we cannot afford anything less.\n\nDuring the floor debate of the Senate\u2019s defense legislation, more than 900 amendments were considered and 120 amendments were adopted \u2013 the most amendments adopted to the Senate NDAA in years. The bill passed the full Senate 86-11. Prior to floor debate, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-1 to advance the bill from markup, with 445 amendments considered and 286 adopted.\n\nThe 63rd annual NDAA supports a total of $886 billion in fiscal year 2024 funding for national defense. Within this topline, the legislation authorizes $845 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $32 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy (DOE).\n\nNDAA highlights include:\n\nProvides for a 5.2 percent pay raise for both military servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce, and helps lower housing, healthcare, and childcare costs for military families.\n\nSupports requested funding for the procurement of naval vessels, combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapon systems, and munitions.\n\nAuthorizes the full budget request for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) and the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI).\n\nEstablishes the Indo-Pacific Campaigning Initiative to facilitate increased U.S. military exercises, freedom of navigation operations, and partner engagements in the region.\n\nEstablishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for the military forces of Taiwan.\n\nSupports the development of the security partnership among Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States, known as AUKUS.\n\nFully funds and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through fiscal year 2027.\n\nStreamlines the acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions for multiyear procurement contracts.\n\nAuthorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks.\n\nAuthorizes increased funding for the military services' recruiting and advertising activities.\n\nAuthorizes significant funding for game-changing technologies like microelectronics, hypersonic weapons, and unmanned aircraft systems.\n\nEnhances deterrence by recapitalizing and modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad; ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, delivery systems, and infrastructure; increasing capacity in theater and homeland missile defense; and strengthening nonproliferation programs.\n\nProvides predictability and stability for the nation\u2019s supply chain and industrial base workforce to move forward with critical programs and acquisitions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "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://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-statement-on-national-defense-authorization-act-conference-proceedings"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9777783416211605, "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"}