Congressman Womack votes to pass the NDAA to support our military, bolster national defense, hold the Biden Administration accountable on Afghanistan, and more.
Washington, DC—December 7, 2021….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)for Fiscal Year 2022. The legislation, which includes several Womack-supported provisions, authorizes $768.2 billion for national security activities, including resources to equip our troops, support military families, enhance defense capabilities, strengthen military readiness, institute accountability related to the Afghanistan withdrawal, and modernize the force.
Congressman Womack said, “Every day—but especially on the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks—we are reminded our military is the greatest force for good and freedom around the world. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to ensure our warfighters are equipped to defend the homeland. We meet that mission in this NDAA. It provides a pay raise for our troops, advances investments in tools to stay ahead of our adversaries, and strengthens national security. The legislation also stops President Biden’s dangerous attempt to shortchange our men and women in uniform and requires answers from the White House on the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Now we must deliver full-year appropriations—not never-ending stopgap measures—to institute these priorities.”
Authorizations in the bill Womack strongly supports:
Stopping Biden Defense Cuts: Reverses harmful cuts proposed by President Biden and ensures our military is properly resourced.
Troop Pay Raise: Gives our courageous troops a pay raise.
Afghanistan Accountability: Implements more than 20 provisions to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its disastrous withdrawal in Afghanistan, including necessitating reports detailing the number of American citizens left behind, requiring a plan to evacuate them, and prohibiting any financial support of the Taliban.
Confronting Russian Aggression: Strengthens European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), which enhances cooperation with Eastern European countries to support collective priories and deter Russia. With growing Moscow aggression against Ukraine, it also includes support for weapons and equipment to avert the Kremlin’s growing military presence along our ally’s border.
Countering China: Bolsters resources to improve lethality, reduces our reliance on Chinese supply chains, requires assessment of CCP ties to COVID-19 origins, and implements other deterrence efforts.
Backing U.S. Allies: Enhances security cooperation with Singapore, prioritizes cooperation between the National Guard and Taiwan, and implements provisions of the Womack co-ledTaiwan Peace and Stability Act to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty and curb Beijing’s control over the Indo-Pacific region.
Supporting Arkansas Troops: Provides resources to support our troops at Ebbing, Fort Chaffee, and other Arkansas installations.
Supports Nuclear Triad Modernization: Invests in needed nuclear triad modernization, including full funding of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, at a time when China is exponentially expanding its nuclear arsenal and Russia is modernizing its nuclear capabilities at an alarming rate.
Helping Military Families: Follows the Natural State’s lead by ensuring portability of professional licensures for military spouses when their sponsor receives military change of station orders. Womack has been a steadfast advocate of policies to implement this nationwide.
Boosting Lethality: Invests in the tools needed to keep our troops safe, well-trained, and agile and procures critical defense equipment, including new submarines, ships, and advanced weapon systems.
Advancing Innovation: Emphasizes policies and programs that advance America's security against emerging threats, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, biotechnology, and more.
Border Security: Declares the situation at our southern border a national security crisis and directs National Guard resources to support enforcement efforts.
This marks the 61st consecutive year the House has fulfilled its constitutional duty to provide for the common defense by passing the NDAA. It will now advance to the Senate for a vote.
Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
