Duval Times

Dec 14 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and ranking member of the SASC Personnel Subcommittee, celebrated the passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 24 NDAA). Senator Scott has been a staunch advocate for Florida's military installations, service members, veterans, and national security. This year's NDAA includes significant wins for Florida, such as a 5.2% pay raise for service members and the approval of Senator Scott's legislation to ban federal agencies from purchasing drones made in Communist China, which pose a threat to U.S. national security.

In response to the passage of the FY 24 NDAA, Senator Rick Scott stated, "Florida is home to thousands of brave men and women who wake up every day and put on the uniform, and it is my goal to ensure Washington works for them. I am very proud of the progress we made in this year's NDAA, the much-deserved 5.2% pay raise we secured for our men and women in uniform, and the big wins we got for Florida and U.S. national security."

One of the key provisions of the NDAA is the American Security Drone Act of 2023, which prohibits federal agencies from purchasing and operating Chinese-made drones. Senator Scott emphasized the importance of this provision, stating, "Getting this bill passed in this year's NDAA is a massive win for our national security and the safety of Florida families. Communist China has been known to spy on us, using companies like drone maker DJI, who are obligated by law to report back to the evil regime, to carry out its information collection missions. Thanks to the passage of my American Security Drone Act, the U.S. will now no longer spend taxpayer dollars to let Communist China spy on us through their drones."

Senator Scott also highlighted the ongoing threats posed by adversaries like Communist China, Iran, and Russia, stating, "We must always keep in mind that we are facing threats from adversaries like Communist China, Iran, and Russia, who are building up their militaries to defeat us. We have to keep investing in our armed forces and prioritizing policies that make us the most lethal, not woke, force on the planet."

The FY 24 NDAA includes several other measures championed by Senator Scott, including a 5.2% pay raise for service members, $886.3 billion in national defense spending, and more than $598.6 million in funding for construction projects, childcare, and training facilities on Florida's military bases.

The NDAA also establishes a new U.S. military training program with Taiwan and requires a plan to accelerate deliveries of anti-ship missiles to Taiwan. Additionally, it authorizes $200 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense programming, including the Iron Dome.

The bill also addresses various issues, such as improving parental input and involvement in Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) programs and schools, countering cartels' human and fentanyl trafficking on the border, protecting female athletes at U.S. Service Academies, and improving the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks.

Furthermore, the FY 24 NDAA includes provisions to enhance the recruitment and retention of childcare providers for DOD Child Development Centers, invest in cutting-edge technologies to improve warfighter lethality, protect Homestead Air Reserve Base, develop new homeland air defense protocols, and prohibit federal funding for EcoHealth Alliance Inc., a company involved in the experimentation with COVID in Wuhan.

With the passage of the FY 24 NDAA, Senator Rick Scott has secured significant wins for Florida and the nation. His tireless advocacy for the military, veterans, and national security has resulted in crucial provisions that will strengthen our armed forces and protect the American people.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-rick-scott-secures-big-wins-for-florida-with-passage-of-national-defense-authorization-act