Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today announced six bipartisan measures he authored and four bipartisan measures he cosponsored were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025.
Rep. Molinaro voted to pass the NDAA, which authorizes the budget and expenditures for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for Fiscal Year 2025. Once the House and Senate pass their versions of the bill, lawmakers will begin working to develop a compromised NDAA to be signed into law.
Rep. Molinaro said, "I'm proud to have my bipartisan measures included in the NDAA that support military families with disabilities, enhance our defense systems, and implement lifesaving medicine. This bill delivers for our national defense and ensures our servicemembers, military families, and veterans have the utmost support. I'm excited to get this bipartisan bill one step closer to the finish line and working with the Senate to continue crafting legislation that protects our nation, its national defense, and those who have courageously served to protect our freedoms."
Summaries of Molinaro’s bipartisan measures included in NDAA:
- Directs the Secretary of the Army to produce a report on the progress made to modernize the Army’s Black Hawk Helicopters.
- Requires the DoD to produce an updated report on the nation’s defenses against biological threats.
- Directs the DoD’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to identify gaps in the skills and training of the agency’s current AI workforce to preserve the United States’ global technological competitiveness.
- Authorizes a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the effectiveness of the Department of Defense Education Activity Disability Emphasis Program and how it supports the employment, retention, and career advancement of individuals with disabilities.
- Requires a GAO study on the effectiveness of the Exceptional Family Member Program and how it currently supports individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. This program provides support to military families with disabilities.
- Directs the DoD to provide reports to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of Narcan (Naloxone) to servicemembers to prevent opioid overdoses.
Molinaro Backed Amendments in the NDAA:
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to update Congress on efforts to rescue hostages in Gaza.
- Authorizes the DOD and Department of Health and Human services (HHS) to address barriers to mental health care for military pilots, aviators, and air traffic controllers and identify improvements that can be made.
- Requires an outline of existing tunnel networks along the Gaza-Egypt border that terrorist groups use to smuggle weapons and illicit goods.
- Directs the DoD to maintain prescription drop boxes on all military bases to allow for safe disposal of unused prescription drugs, including opioids.
Other key provisions in the NDAA:
- Provides our junior enlisted servicemembers with a 19.5% pay raise and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers.
- Expands access to mental health services and healthcare for servicemembers.
- Fully funds childcare assistance programs for military families.
- Funds and expands programs to deter Chinese aggression.
- Authorizes $601 million over the President's request to improve military housing.
- Increases protection and support for Israel.
- Expands the in-home childcare pilot program to focus on more rural areas.
- Administers $20 million in assistance to local schools teaching children with severe disabilities.
- Increases security along our southwest and maritime borders.
