Clermont Times

Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) has voted in favor of H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which passed on the House floor.

"I am pleased to see legislation that provides our brave service men and women with a pay increase, improved housing, and greater access to health care pass today in the House. Importantly, as our country faces the most dangerous security environment we have had in decades, this bill strengthens our nuclear deterrence, sea power, and technological capabilities. China has challenged U.S. technological capabilities in several key areas, including hypersonics and AI; this legislation increases funding for innovative technologies to ensure our military has the tools, equipment, and resources needed to defend our nation and deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific and around the world," said Rep. Wenstrup. "As a veteran of the Iraq War, I will always prioritize the needs of our servicemembers and strengthening the lethality and effectiveness of our fighting force."

The bill includes several provisions aimed at improving conditions for servicemembers:

- A 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel and a 4.5% raise for all others.

- An increase in servicemember housing allowance to cover 100% of average local rent.

- Additional funding authorized for housing maintenance and new family housing units.

- Strengthened healthcare services with a new standard allowing three-day access to behavioral healthcare for servicemembers and their dependents.

- Expanded programs to support employment opportunities for Ohio's 3,700 military spouses.

- Increased access to childcare for Ohio's 6,700 children from military families.

Further measures include full funding for National Guard deployments supporting Border Patrol activities at the southwest border, increased DOD counternarcotic activity funding, requirements for DOD briefings on threats posed by Mexican cartels, increased investment in technologies aimed at deterring Chinese advancements such as hypersonics and AI systems, oversight on growing military cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

The act also reaffirms U.S. support to Taiwan's defense capabilities while enhancing Congressional oversight on DOD programs by cutting over $4.3 billion from underperforming weapons programs.

Additionally included is a requirement for a quadrennial review of DOD biodefense policies along with affirmations ensuring Israel's capability to defend itself against threats from Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.