Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, has announced the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by Congress. This legislation includes several priorities that Senator Hoeven has been advocating for, particularly in support of servicemembers and defense missions based in North Dakota.

The NDAA authorizes more than $5.6 billion to advance nuclear modernization efforts at Minot Air Force Base. These efforts encompass programs such as the Sentinel, B-52, and Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missile initiatives. The bill also includes measures to prohibit reductions in deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and establish a new Assistant Secretary of Defense to oversee nuclear deterrence policies across the Department of Defense.

In addition to nuclear modernization, the legislation addresses threats from unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It directs the Secretary of Defense to develop strategies for countering these threats and establishes a Counter-UAS Task Force within the Department of Defense.

The NDAA also allocates $4 billion for the Space Development Agency, supporting low-Earth orbit satellite programs based in Grand Forks and Cavalier Space Force Station. Further provisions sponsored by Hoeven aim to benefit the North Dakota National Guard by modernizing equipment such as the UH-72 Lakota helicopter and planning for MQ-1C Gray Eagle integration into Army National Guard operations.

Additionally, a larger pay raise is authorized for junior enlisted servicemembers (E-4 and below), alongside a basic pay increase for all other servicemembers. The act also prohibits federal rules requiring contractors to disclose emissions for an additional two years.

Moreover, greater support is directed towards Israel in its conflict with Hamas, requiring intelligence sharing and advice from DoD while expanding anti-tunneling cooperation with Israel.

Senator Hoeven stated: “As our nation faces new and growing threats, whether from the nuclear ambitions of our adversaries or the misuse of unmanned aircraft, we need to properly equip and support our men and women in uniform. That’s exactly what we’ve worked to accomplish with this year’s defense authorization bill.”

Hoeven's efforts also focus on leveraging North Dakota's expertise in unmanned aviation through initiatives like Project ULTRA. This initiative aims to expand DoD counter-UAS capabilities by utilizing private sector technology developments.

He previously discussed these priorities at a UAS Summit in Grand Forks with military leaders including Gen. David Stewart, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach from Air Combat Command, Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Dr. William LaPlante from DoD Acquisition and Sustainment.