Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) released the following statement after he voted in support of the final version of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was negotiated and agreed upon between House and Senate leadership. The legislation passed the House and will now head to the Senate for a vote. Ahead of the vote, Garcia spoke in support of the bill on the House Floor - watch here.
 
“I am pleased that the House passed the final version of the bipartisan FY2022 NDAA, which would provide vital funding for our nation’s defense sector and bring hundreds of millions in economic impact to California’s 25th District,” said Garcia. “Given the current threats our nation faces, from China to Russia, it is crucial that we ensure America’s defense sector is armed with the best technology and the brightest minds. I’m glad to see that this legislation includes many critical provisions such as provisions that improve military family housing and funding to support our initiatives to deter China. The House passage of this bill brings us closer to ensuring that our military has the funding it needs to keep our nation safe and secure and stay ahead of our adversaries like China and Russia.”
 
The final FY2022 NDAA includes funding for several programs that create hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact in California’s 25th district every year. Examples of funding contained in the final FY2022 NDAA that creates jobs in our communities are:

• funding for the procurement of 12 additional Super Hornets
• funding for the procurement of 11 additional CH-47F Block II Helicopters 
• funding for the procurement of 85 additional F-35s
• funding for the procurement of 30 Apache Helicopters 

Although Garcia supported the overall final FY2022 NDAA, he remains outspoken about the bill’s failure to both provide the U.S. Military with the pay raise necessary to ensure servicemembers do not fall below the poverty line as well as the bill’s failure to include Garcia’s bipartisan Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, which was included in an earlier version of the bill.
 
“While I am pleased with many provisions in this bill, it is not perfect. I’m disappointed that the final version of the FY2022 NDAA does not include my Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, however, I remain steadfast in my efforts to get this legislation to the President’s desk in order to support our military families,” said Garcia. “I’m also disappointed by the anemic 2.7 percent pay raise for our troops. This is flatly insufficient, particularly for our junior enlisted service members, too many of which are struggling to get by. If we want to attract the talent necessary to ensure that the United States military remains the most powerful fighting force on the face of the planet, we must ensure that our junior service members can support themselves and their families. In Congress, I’ll continue to be an outspoken advocate for securing the pay raise our nation’s servicemembers need.”
 
The final FY2022 NDAA includes a 2.7% pay raise for the military, which falls short of ensuring all servicemembers make at least $15 an hour, which Garcia has continuously called for. 
 
Click here to watch Rep. Garcia speak on the final FY2022 NDAA.