Latta Votes to Strengthen National Defense, Increase Troop Pay, Fund Rip and Replace

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes funds for 'Rip and Replace' which will remove communist Chinese communications equipment from U.S. infrastructure:

"I was pleased to support this year's NDAA which will increase pay for our brave troops, strengthen our military readiness to protect our nation, cut $31 billion in wasteful spending, and, importantly, fund critical 'Rip and Replace' efforts to remove communist Chinese communications equipment from U.S. infrastructure. As Chair of Energy and Commerce's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I've championed efforts to prevent Huawei and ZTE communication equipment from being used in our infrastructure, and I'm pleased the House took bold action today to complete this mission.

"Congress has the solemn responsibility to support our men and women in uniform, including helping to provide for the safety and security of the American people. With this year's NDAA, we are providing the necessary support for our Armed Forces so they can continue to protect our great country from foreign adversaries."

NDAA provisions:

The annual defense legislation sets priorities and policies for the U.S. Armed Services. Below are some of the provisions included in this year's NDAA, and a full summary provided by the U.S. House Armed Services Committee can be found here.

• Funds the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act to support the removal, replacement, and disposal of insecure equipment and services from entities that have been identified as national security risks, including Huawei and ZTE.
• Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers.
• Improves the servicemembers cost of living allowance calculation to ensure it properly accounts for inflation, especially for servicemembers based abroad.
• Increases funding for innovative new technologies to deter communist China, including hypersonics, AI, autonomous systems, cyber, mobile micronuclear reactors, and high energy lasers.
• Prohibits the Biden admin. from sharing sensitive missile defense information with China.
• Enhances oversight and accountability of the Department of Defense.
• Saves taxpayers $31 billion by cutting inefficient defense programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy.