Niagara Leader

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) voted in favor of the Servicemember Quality Of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 217-199. This legislation includes 30 amendments Tenney sponsored or cosponsored that support defense and national security while banning initiatives she claims have compromised military effectiveness.

"The National Defense Authorization Act is a critical piece of legislation that authorizes funding for our military critical defense programs and improves the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families," said Congresswoman Tenney. "This year's NDAA works to enhance our deterrence capabilities, counteracts the Chinese Communist Party’s malign influence, and improves the living conditions for servicemembers."

Tenney highlighted that this year's NDAA reversed the Biden administration's request to halve the annual Virginia-Class Nuclear Submarine force, which she argued would impact Indo-Pacific deterrence and commitments through joint efforts with Australia and the UK via the AUKUS program. The bill also provides a 19.5% raise for junior enlisted servicemembers, improves on-post housing, ensures access to quality healthcare, and invests in greater access to childcare for military families.

"Importantly, this bill streamlines spending and safeguards billions of taxpayer dollars to ensure our hard-earned tax dollars are not used to enhance security and are not wasted on the Biden administration's dangerous 'woke' policies," Tenney stated. She supported multiple amendments prohibiting funding on Green New Deal mandates, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) efforts, and sex reassignment surgeries.

Included in this bill were two standalone pieces of legislation introduced by Tenney: the FORKS Made in America Act requiring DOD to buy stainless steel flatware from American companies like Sherrill Manufacturing; and the Parity for Child Exploitation Offenders Act aimed at closing loopholes allowing child predators to escape enhanced penalties.

Key provisions in FY25 NDAA include:

- A 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers

- Over $693 million authorized for new family housing units

- Over $204 million authorized for new childcare centers

- Mandates prioritizing Fort Drum for expansion of its in-home childcare program

- Expanded access to DOD childcare for military spouses seeking employment

- Merit-based promotions within military ranks

- Savings of $30 billion or 4% from current DOD spending levels

- Prevention of unilateral relocation of specific Air National Guard units

- Full funding procurement of two Virginia-class submarines

As an advocate for military priorities, Tenney had more amendments included in FY25 NDAA than any other House member. Key amendments include extending reporting requirements on IRGC operatives abroad; ensuring enhanced penalties for all child predators; reinstating requirements that DOD source stainless steel flatware domestically; studying feasibility replicating Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course across other branches; prohibiting DOD funds transporting Palestinian refugees or implementing climate change executive orders; eliminating DEI offices within Armed Forces; prohibiting TRICARE from covering gender transition treatments; and repealing Secretary Austin’s memo allowing DOD-funded abortion travel.

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