Luján Statement on Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which now heads to the President's desk:

"Today, I voted to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act, which makes critical investments to ensure our Armed Forces remain prepared to meet an increasingly complex global landscape. New Mexico's military installations and National Laboratories play an essential role in safeguarding our nation, and this year's NDAA delivers the resources and support these vital facilities need to continue protecting Americans.

"This legislation makes targeted investments in our most pressing national security objectives - prioritizing a well-deserved pay raise for our service members and making key investments that strengthen research and development at our National Laboratories. This NDAA reinforces both New Mexico's contributions to our national defense and the security of our country. I was proud to support and help secure these critical measures for New Mexico and the nation."

Senator Luján helped secure the following provisions in the NDAA:

Supporting Our Military Personnel:

• Provides a 3.8% pay raise for military service members;
• Requires DOD to document all servicemember radiation and toxic exposures, including those that occur domestically, so our veterans can be seen by the VA after they've separated from the military;
• Supports Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) crews like those stationed at Holloman and Cannon Air Force Bases by recognizing their combat participation and enabling access to combat-related mental health services.

Boosting Energy Security and our National Laboratories:

• Authorizes $25.9 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to support and sustain its system integration, engineering, and science programs;
• Authorizes $6.9 billion for DOE's defense environmental cleanup activities, including $278.2 million for Los Alamos National Lab and $1.03 million for Sandia National Labs to support defense-related environmental cleanup, and authorizes $415.4 million for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP);
• Authorizes $45 million for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board;
• Requires the Secretary of Energy to brief Congress on actions that can be taken to accelerate cleanup milestones with the State of New Mexico at Los Alamos National Laboratory, including the hexavalent chromium plume.

Protecting Against Threats From China:

• Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from directly or indirectly acquiring computers or printers manufactured by covered Chinese entities;
• Protects against China buying land near U.S. military bases.

Formally Ending Iraq Wars

• Repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force for the Gulf and Iraq wars.

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