Greenville Reporter

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., has expressed approval following the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation authorizes $895.2 billion for national defense discretionary programs, marking a $9 billion increase over the FY24 enacted level and saving taxpayers $34 billion by cutting inefficient programs and obsolete weapons systems.

"I'm grateful the House has passed a strong annual defense bill that enables our military to effectively protect the United States and global security," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "I applaud my colleagues for their diligent work and the inclusion of $295 million to fulfill funding requests I submitted for installations in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District."

The legislation includes specific allocations aimed at enhancing military infrastructure within North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District:

- A 19.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay increase for all other service members.

- $50 million for the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center in Cherry Point.

- $106 million for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar in Cherry Point.

- $114.02 million for a Composite Repair Facility in Cherry Point.

- $25.4 million for the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Armory at Camp Lejeune.

Overall, military construction initiatives in FY2025 total $295.42 million.

The NDAA aims to address various security challenges related to China, Russia, Iran, and foreign terrorist organizations while strengthening Pentagon oversight and modernizing nuclear deterrence posture. Additionally, it seeks to improve quality of life for service members and their families through measures such as housing maintenance funding, access to medical care including mental health services, increased childcare facilities, and support for military spouses' employment opportunities.

Key provisions include merit-based promotions within the military, ending affirmative action at service academies, prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at Department of Defense schools, preventing contracts with firms blacklisting conservative news sources, and blocking a military Green New Deal.

In terms of deterring Chinese Communist Party aggression, the NDAA extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative with over $650 million authorized for INDOPACOM Commander priorities left unfunded in President Biden’s budget. It also increases funding for technologies such as hypersonics and AI needed to deter CCP actions.

Additional provisions aim to improve military readiness by blocking reductions in U.S. Special Forces numbers and establishing acquisition thresholds for American-made batteries. Support is also provided for Israel through full funding of joint missile defense programs like Iron Dome.

The legislation strengthens U.S. nuclear posture by fully funding modernization efforts of the nuclear triad and investing in sea-launched cruise missiles while supporting commercial space solutions to enhance resilience.

Border security measures include full funding deployment of National Guard troops at the southwest border and increasing counternarcotics activity funding by $20 million.

Several cosponsored amendments were included in the legislation:

- Authorizing President Biden to award Major James Capers Jr. the Medal of Honor.

- Requiring DoD officials to report minimum annual investment needs in depots and industrial facilities.

- Supporting habitability standards research on mold issues in military housing.