Tenney backs new National Defense Authorization Act, touting salary increases, new housing units for soldiers

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24)  on Wednesday voted in favor of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which works to improve the lives of our servicemembers and strengthen our national security and defense capabilities.

This legislation includes two bills originally introduced by Rep. Tenney, one of her amendments, and numerous priorities for NY-24 and the surrounding area.

This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 281-140.

“While the United States faces growing threats from adversaries like China, Iran, and Russia, who continue to jeopardize our national security and international stability, this NDAA provides our servicemembers with the necessary resources to strengthen our national defense and protect our interests around the world,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The FY25 NDAA delivers a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and authorizes $569 million to build new family housing units, along with an additional $1.2 billion to renovate and construct new barracks. This reaffirms our commitment to supporting our servicemembers and their families.

“Importantly, this bill authorizes critical funding for Fort Drum, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and the Air Force Research Lab in Rome, NY. This includes $27 million for the Fort Drum Wellfield Field Expansion Project and over $19 million in design funds for future projects at Fort Drum and Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield. Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station also received $6.6 million for their taxiway/runway extension design which is critical to supporting its mission.

Key Provisions in the FY25 NDAA:

• Provide junior enlisted servicemembers with a 14.5% pay raise.
• Support law enforcement operations along our southern and maritime borders.
• Deter Chinese espionage in our military, supply chains, and research institutions.
• Increase in U.S.-Israel military exercises and fully fund cooperative missile defense programs.
• Expand funding for U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies.
• Save taxpayers $31 billion by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons, and bloated Pentagon bureaucracy.
• Abolish the DEI bureaucracy, require merit-based promotions, and ban transgender medical treatment for minors.
• Counter antisemitism by prohibiting sale of goods at DOD commissaries and exchanges from any entities that have or are engaged in a boycott of Israel.

“This bill also included two bills that I introduced, the FORKS Made in America Act and the Parity for Child Exploitation Offenders Act. Additionally, my amendment to fully fund the first new LC-130J polar airlift planes will be critical in supporting the incredible work of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing. While I am disappointed that this bill fails to fully fund two Virginia-class submarines, and that provisions in this bill jeopardize the ability of the 222 CACS to remain in New York, this bill is still a big win for House Republicans, our military, and our national security. I am eager to see this NDAA enacted to start restoring our America First Foreign Policy Agenda and reestablishing our position as a global force through peace through strength.”

Background on Tenney’s Bills and Amendments Included in Bill:

FORKS Made in America Act – This bill will require DOD to only purchase domestically produced stainless steel flatware beginning in 2026 until 2029. This will help support American manufacturers of stainless-steel flatware, such as Sherrill Manufacturing.

Parity for Child Exploitation Offenders Act – Under current law, loopholes allow individuals charged with sexual crimes involving children under the UCMJ do not receive the same enhanced penalties that civilians receive for the same heinous crimes. This bill closes these loopholes to ensure all offenders receive these enhanced penalties for their horrific crimes.

New Polar Planes – The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing operates the current LC-130H fleet, the only planes in the world that can land and take off in the Arctic and Antarctic. However, the current fleet is over 50 years old and is only able to operate at roughly 40% capacity at any time, posing a grave national security threat. My amendment funds the first new LC-130J, beginning the process of recapitalizing these planes to ensure that our Armed Forces can continue keeping our Nation safe in the Arctic and Antarctic.