Hudson Advances Support for Troops, Military Families in National Defense Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), Fort Bragg's Congressman, released the following statement on U.S. House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense bill that includes critical investments for service members, military families, and veterans.

"Supporting troops, their families, and our veterans is always among my top priorities," said Rep. Hudson. "As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I am pleased this defense bill reverses proposed cuts by President Biden and provides needed pay raises for service members as well as investments for military families and veterans. I will continue working to include commonsense provisions as this bill is finalized throughout the year."

The NDAA, passed in the House by a bipartisan vote on Thursday, includes numerous provisions to support service members and their families at Fort Bragg including a 4.6% pay raise for troops, $16.5 billion for military construction and family housing, $500 million in additional housing allowances, and $750 million to reduce food and other item costs at commissaries. It also establishes a Servicemember Parents Bill of Rights to secure the rights of parents in their children’s education at Department of Defense schools and pushes back against ‘woke’ agendas in the military by clarifying the mission of the Department of Defense to protect our nation.

To counter China, $7 billion is authorized for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and provisions are included to strengthen the US-Taiwan relationship. To protect individual liberties, the bill extends the prohibition of a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccination and prohibits the implementation of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on DOD contractors. Finally, to address the crisis on the southern border, the bill funds the National Guard’s operation and maintenance account to support a border deployment and clearly states the border crisis is a national security issue.

In addition to these measures, Rep. Hudson introduced approved amendments to include $10 million for increased health care protections for active-duty troops and more resources for Special Operations forces transitioning to civilian life.

Following House passage, the NDAA must now be considered by the Senate before being finalized and sent to the president.

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