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Legislation of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a motion expanding military resources, passed the United States House of Representatives and is heading to the senate for a vote– a motion that Congressman Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita) continues to support.
Garcia voted in support of the FY2022 NDAA, which was negotiated and agreed upon between House and Senate leadership earlier this week.
“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,” Garcia said. “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 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, according to Garcia’s office.
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
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“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,” Garcia said. “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.”
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 service members do not fall below the poverty line, according to a statement from Garcia’s office.
“While I am pleased with many provisions in this bill, it is not perfect,” Garcia said. “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.”
Garcia also expressed his disappointment of the “flatly insufficient” 2.7 percent pay raise for military troops who many of whom are struggling to get by,” according to a statement from Garcia’s office.
“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,” Garcia said. “In Congress, I’ll continue to be an outspoken advocate for securing the pay raise our nation’s service members need.”
To watch Garcia speak on the FY2022 NDAA, click here.