The defense of our nation is vital to the preservation of our freedoms and the protection of our families. There is no more important responsibility of the Congress than to secure our nation and provide for the safety of Americans everywhere. This is particularly critical as China, Russia, and North Korea flex their military capabilities, violate international norms, and threaten the sovereignty of free nations. We cannot let our guard down as our enemies double down on their dangerous and illegal actions.
From balloon surveillance and foreign acquisition of American farmland to nuclear proliferation and aggressive military tactics, the likes of China and Iran seek to exploit any perceived weakness in our military. For the sake of our national security, it is critical that the United States remain the world’s premier military superpower.
That’s why I proudly voted for the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The NDAA ensures that we can thwart foreign aggression and that our troops have the equipment, resources, and support they need to defend our country and protect our freedoms. Additionally, this year’s defense package prohibits retaliatory action against any service member solely based on their COVID-19 vaccination status, authorizes $2 billion for military family housing construction, funds military exercises with our allies in the Pacific to counter China’s growing aggression, and requires the U.S. Department of Defense to notify Congress of any instance of nuclear cooperation between Russia and China.
I am also proud that we secured a well-deserved 5.2% pay raise for our service members, stopped the Biden Administration’s attempts to reduce the size of our Navy, and eliminated liberal priorities to the tune of $40 billion. Furthermore, we included language that prioritizes continued construction of the border wall by requiring the Department of Defense to submit a proposal to use or transfer unused materials for construction of the border wall – which are rusting away at a significant cost to American taxpayers – to states along the southern border. This provision will help jumpstart wall construction while President Biden refuses to secure our border and protect our communities from the flow of deadly fentanyl.
As a strong advocate for our soldiers and military families, I will continue to support policies that honor our solemn commitment to our troops, kneecap China’s aggression on the world stage, and defend our nation from foreign threats. Our troops and their families deserve nothing less.
We are government together, and your thoughts and opinions matter to me. Please contact my office at Feenstra.House.Gov or by phone at 202-225-4426 if I can ever be of assistance. I am proud to represent our families, farmers, main street businesses, and rural communities in Congress.
