Peace Garden News

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement today after he and his Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) colleagues voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) out of committee. 

“The National Defense Authorization Act is a critical part of Congress’ first Constitutional duty to protect and defend the nation. This year’s bill provides critical funding for the maintenance and modernization of our military and reflects both the needs of our troops and emerging threats. We live in dangerous times where American leadership and resolve are needed more than ever. North Dakota plays a pivotal role in our national security, and I am grateful this bill supports our servicemen and women and their families while investing in the military assets and facilities across the state. I appreciate Chairman Reed and Ranking Member Wicker’s leadership, and I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.” 

FY24 NDAA Topline Provisions:

The FY24 NDAA provides for the national defense of the United States. It passed through SASC overwhelmingly with a vote of 24-1 and is now awaiting action for the full Senate.

Specifically, this NDAA: 

• Authorizes a total of $886.3 billion in fiscal year 2024 funding for national defense
• Authorizes $844.3 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $32.4 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy (DOE)
• Provides for a 5.2% pay raise for both military servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce
• Authorizes requested funding for procurement of naval vessels, combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapon systems, and munitions
• Includes Senator Wicker’s Merit Act, which would help preserve the performance-based warfighting ethos of the military and stop the toxic, so-called ‘equity’ agenda at the Department of Defense at its source.
• Mandates a full accounting of the cost and content of previously opaque and unaccountable DEI programming across the Department and ensures senior defense officials are not required to take time and effort promoting these toxic policies

Click here for SASC’s release. Click here for an executive summary.

“Our nation faces the most dangerous moment since World War II, and my top priority is to deliver our servicemembers the tools and capabilities they need to keep us safe. I am privileged to be the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and I can attest that this legislation will strengthen our national defense and help us defeat our adversaries by keeping the Pentagon focused on deterrence rather than a toxic and divisive social agenda. As an Air Force veteran myself, I will continue fighting to protect our armed forces’ culture of personal achievement that helps make military service such a badge of honor,” said SASC Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS).

North Dakota Projects and Priorities:

As the first-ever North Dakotan to serve on an Armed Services committee in Congress, Senator Cramer has used his seat on SASC to secure funding authorization and language for missions both directly and indirectly benefiting North Dakota’s military community. This year’s bill fully funds nuclear modernization efforts, supports efforts to develop increased intelligence capabilities, grows the Space Force, and authorizes multiple North Dakota military projects.

Senator Cramer has also been a vocal supporter of the nation’s nuclear triad and has pushed military leaders at the highest levels to keep GBSD funded and on-time.

Minot Air Force Base (AFB):

• Provides $3.7 billion for Sentinel (Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD)) modernization
• Provides $770 million for B-52 commercial engine replacement program (CERP) and radar modernization
• Provides $40.8 million for the Nuclear Command, Control & Communication (NC3) program, which will modernize the communications equipment used at Minot AFB
• Limits the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) count to no less than 400 total protecting our nuclear deterrent

Grand Forks AFB:

• Grand Forks AFB Runway

- Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing on options to return the runway to its original width for future strategic bomber usage

• RQ-4 Retirement Prohibition
• Space Development Agency (SDA)
• Expresses a sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Air Force should fully staff SDA with 3 senior executive service positions

Cavalier Space Force Station and Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS):

• Adds $8 million for PARCS modernization

North Dakota Army National Guard and Air National Guard:

• Provides almost $2 million for Camp Grafton’s Institutional Post-Initial Military Training Unaccompanied Housing
• Provides $5.425 million for cost to complete on Dickinson’s National Guard Readiness Center

Key North Dakota Projects:

• US Marine Corps Advanced Technology Demonstration: Hardware in the Loop capabilities was increased by $5 million to support efforts by Ideal Aerosmith in Grand Forks
• Advanced Composites: Increased funding by $5 million for NDSU’s work on Multi-material protective systems

This is the fifth NDAA Senator Cramer has helped craft as a member of SASC. In 2019, he was able to shepherd through the creation of the U.S. Space Force, and in 2020 and 2021, he was able to secure a host of pro-North Dakota provisions in the legislation.

Original source can be found here.