Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02) issued the following statement after voting for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2022. The NDAA sets policy for our nation’s defense and is critical for our national security. “I am thrilled Congressional leaders were able to set aside partisan politics and put forward a true national defense bill that I could proudly support,” said Moore. “As a former Guardsman, I understand the absolute necessity of supporting of our servicemembers, and while imperfect, this bipartisan bill meets that challenge. I thank Ranking Member Rogers, as well as Armed Services Committee members Brooks and Carl, for their countless hours of hard work on this legislation. “Fighting to support our men and women in uniform is my highest priority, and they will always have my unwavering support.” In September, Moore voted against an earlier version of the NDAA before significant changes were made this week. The bill passed today with Moore’s support removed troubling red flag provisions that targeted veterans, eliminated the requirement for women to register with the selective service, and ensured that servicemembers who refused a COVID vaccine will not receive a dishonorable discharge. The bill also will include a larger investment in defense, require the Department of Defense to make uniform rules for all vaccines, provide a pay raise for the troops, and take meaningful steps to remove China from our defense supply chain. Click here for a copy of the bill and here for a comprehensive summary of the bill from the House Armed Services Committee. Bipartisan, Bicameral FY22 NDAA Summary: Republicans worked diligently throughout this process to ensure this year’s National Defense Authorization Act provides our military with the necessary resources to defend the nation, support servicemembers and their families and holds the administration accountable over its disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Not only did Ranking Member Rogers deliver on these goals, he also successfully stripped out problematic provisions from the initial House version, resulting in a bill that reflects Republican priorities and rejects progressives attempts to reshape the military. - Provisions of concern that Republicans successfully stripped out of the final version of the bill:
- “Red Flag” laws – the NDAA no longer contains a provision allowing judges to issue ex parte protective orders that prohibit firearm possession.
- Requirement For Women to Register for the Draft – the NDAA no longer includes a provision requiring women to register for the Selective Service.
- Extremism – the NDAA no longer includes a provision establishing an Office of Extremism at the Department of Defense and does not create a new UCMJ article on extremism or require the Department to establish policies to counter extremism or make troops take training courses on extremism.
- DC National Guard – the NDAA no longer includes provisions that would provide the Mayor of the District of Columbia authorities provided to governors or remove the President as Commander in Chief of the militia of the District of Columbia.
- Minimum Wage – the NDAA no longer includes a provision codifying Biden’s executive order requiring defense contractors to pay a $15 per hour minimum wage.
- Abortifacient drug coverage – the NDAA no longer includes a requirement for TRICARE to provide abortifacient drugs without cost sharing.
- Reverses President Biden’s reckless cuts to our national security by boosting the defense topline by nearly $25 billion, ensuring growth of 5% of FY21.
- Authorizes a 2.7% pay increase for servicemembers and extends military recruitment and retention bonuses and special pay authorities.
- Preserves servicemembers’ free speech rights by protecting them from being punished for political statements on social media accounts.
- Prohibits a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccination and requires uniform procedures for vaccine exemptions.
- Servicemembers may only receive an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
- The bill also requires DoD to establish uniform standards under which servicemembers may be exempted from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for administrative, medical, or religious reasons and must consider the effects of natural immunity in setting medical standards, as well as whether the servicemember is approaching retirement when setting the administrative exemption standards.
- Focuses investment in new and emerging weapon systems capable of penetrating denied operating environments such as China.
- Authorizes $250 million to conduct counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and prohibits DoD from providing any financial support to the Taliban.
- Requires the DoD to immediately submit a plan to Congress on how it will support the evacuation of American citizens from Afghanistan, maintain air superiority, conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and carry out counter-terrorism operations.
- Requires a series of immediate reports to Congress on the following:
- Number of Americans left behind in Afghanistan
- Personally, identifying information and biometrics of Americans now in the hands of the Taliban
- Itemized lists of aircraft, combat vehicles, and other U.S. military equipment left behind
- Threats posed by Al Qaeda and other terrorists operating in Afghanistan
- Strategic impacts of abandoning Bagram Air Base
- Taliban relationship with foreign terrorist organizations
- Security impacts on the Taliban release of terrorist prisoners
- Financial assets and other resources available to the Taliban
- Strengthens Homeland Security by directing additional National Guard resources to the border and requiring an assessment of the impact on military readiness of DoD transporting illegal immigrant.
- Prohibits the transfer of terrorists housed at Guantanamo Bay to any country that is a state sponsor of terrorism.
- Prohibits the use of DoD funds to conduct research, including biomedical, infectious disease, and genomic research in China or with any entity controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
- Requires DoD and DNI to assess the involvement of the Chinese Communist Party in the origins of COVID-19.
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