WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), member of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after voting to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of Committee.
“As a 25-year Army veteran and Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m proud to have voted to deliver for the Seventh District, our war fighters, and every military family,” said Vindman. “This year’s bipartisan NDAA includes several of my amendments that will strengthen our military readiness. I led the charge to accelerate our ability to build and use FPV drones as they become central to the battlefield. Our war fighters deserve the best, and I will fight for nothing less.”
The Committee’s 14-hour markup produced a bipartisan bill that strengthens U.S. military readiness, supports service members and their families, and reinforces American leadership in today’s complex global security environment.
Vindman introduced and secured passage of 11 amendments and cosponsored 83 that passed to stand up for military families and best support our readiness.
Vindman led and secured the following priorities for Virginia and military families in the NDAA:
- $10 million in additional funding for the Marine Corps’ Warfighting Lab in Quantico, VA
- $20 million increase in funding for US Army Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization along with a report to address infrastructure issues at Ft. Walker
- Five-year extension for DoD’s at home childcare pilot program
- Reduction in the barriers for servicewomen and military families to access OB-GYN care through TRICARE
- Transparency and Congressional oversight of any DoD civilian worker layoff over 50 people
- Ensured the children of Reservists can access schools on base while serving on accompanied active-duty orders
- Required DoD child and youth programs to notify parents of suspected or alleged abuse or neglect of a child within 24 hours and Congress within 72 hours
- Expand the definition of bereavement leave for military families to include the loss of a pregnancy or a stillbirth
Vindman also led and partnered on significant policy changes related to First-Person View (FPV) drones to ensure the US military is prepared to dominate on the modern battlefield:
- $18 million increase in funding for the Army to procure FPV drones
- $60 million in additional funding for the USMC to purchase FPV drones and other small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)
- A report from the Secretary of Defense on how to integrate FPV drones into the operating forces including doctrine, training, personnel, and facilities
- Established the SkyFoundary working group to improve domestic drone manufacturing
- A report on stealth sUAS for operations in contested environments
Overall, Vindman’s yes vote, along with nearly all his colleagues, supported critical priorities for the warfighter, their families, and the nation including:
- A well-deserved 3.8% pay raise for service members
- $400 million for Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative
- $460 million for necessary environmental cleanup
- $1.5 billion for new and needed barracks, housing, and child development centers
- Ensured that the names of military installations celebrate American heroes designated by the bipartisan Naming Commission
These provisions reflect Vindman’s commitment to holding the Department of Defense accountable, safeguarding our national security, and guaranteeing our servicemembers have the resources and support they need to succeed.
BACKGROUND
Congressman Vindman is a U.S. Army veteran. He served as an infantry officer and paratrooper including assignments in the 82D Airborne Division and as a company commander leading troops. Soon after, he transitioned to the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corps. As a JAG, Vindman served as an international law advisor in Iraq; as the senior prosecutor in the busiest jurisdiction in the Army; and as a White House National Security Council (NSC) deputy legal advisor. In Congress, he sits on the House Armed Services Committee.
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