Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement as the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) heads to the President’s desk to become law:
“I served in combat and have seen firsthand what our servicemembers need to do their jobs and keep us safe,” said Congressman Crow. “As a leader on the Armed Services Committee, I’m proud to have secured bipartisan wins for Colorado and our military that will strengthen our readiness, modernize our military, and support our servicemembers and their families. This bill isn’t perfect, but it’ll deliver for Colorado and get our men and women in uniform what they need to protect our nation.”
This year’s NDAA includes twelve provisions secured by Congressman Crow, along with key provisions he has long fought for. Among the provisions championed by Crow are a repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF); a pay raise for all servicemembers (3.8%); and direct support for servicemembers based in Colorado, including $12 million for Family Housing Construction at Buckley Space Force Base.
Provisions in the NDAA secured by Congressman Crow:
- Updating Air Force’s Flying Communications System: Authorizes support for mobile communications platforms to ensure continuity of government and national military command and control during a crisis
- Protecting Assets Against Climate Change: Ensures climate shocks don’t negatively impact military installations, training, operations, and readiness.
- Ensuring the Military Protects Civilians in Combat: Compels the Department of Defense to produce a report on how civilian harm could impact the success of military operations.
- Improving the Defense Supply Chain: Encourages changes to the way DoD buys equipment so the supply chain that supports our defense is stronger and more efficient.
- Strengthening the Afghanistan War Commission: Gives them more tools to complete their bipartisan assessment of key decisions made over twenty years of war in Afghanistan and to produce their final report.
- Bolstering our Strategy in Eastern Europe: Requires DoD to provide Congress an updated strategy related to NATO, and provide a detailed update on Russia’s actions.
- Bolstering Crucial Space Programs: Provides U.S. Space Systems Command with the resources needed to compete tactically and technologically with our adversaries in outer space.
- Modernizing Rocket Launches: Requires the Space Force to report to Congress on how it will modernize standards and processes around rocket launches so they are safer and more efficient.
- Supporting Space Domain Awareness: Improves our ability to track objects, like satellites, and activities happening outside of our atmosphere.
- Increasing Competition when the Government Buys Space Technology: Ensures that all companies have a fair shot when the U.S. government is looking to purchase technology that we use in space
- Accountability for Russian Atrocities: Extends the legal requirement that the DNI designate a senior official at ODNI to serve as the IC Coordinator for Russian Atrocities Accountability, and adds “the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children” to the list of matters under the Coordinator’s purview.
- Increasing Congressional Oversight to Potential Combatant Command Changes: Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide at least 60-days notice prior to making significant changes to the missions, responsibilities, force structures, commanders’ ranks, or property of a regional combatant command.
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