DeLauro Statement on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation that authorizes investments to strengthen our national security and support our servicemembers.

"I voted yes on the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes critical investments in the foundation of our national defense: our servicemembers, civilian workers, and their families," said DeLauro. "This legislation reinforces our domestic industrial base, particularly the skilled union workforce here in Connecticut, while improving our military readiness. I will work to ensure these investments are funded in a final bipartisan 2025 defense spending bill."

The bill authorizes funding for key projects that grow and sustain thousands of jobs in Connecticut:

1. $2.07 billion for 20 CH-53Ks, built at Sikorsky;
2. $709 million for 24 UH-60M Blackhawks, made at Sikorsky;
3. $25 million for Blackhawk Block II Modernization, which will help sustain the engineering and design workforce at Sikorsky for work on the next fleet of Blackhawk helicopters;
4. $527 million for F135 Engine Core Upgrade development across Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, a key engineering program for the F-35 engine underway at Pratt & Whitney;
5. $3.972 billion for one Virginia Class submarine, with incremental funding authority for a second boat and $357 million for additional material and support;

Moreover, the legislation:

1. Authorizes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members;
2. Eliminates copays for eligible TRICARE beneficiaries for contraceptives acquired through retail pharmacies and the national mail-order pharmacy;
3. Authorizes a $177 million investment in military construction design funds to accelerate replacement of poor and failing unaccompanied housing and barracks;
4. And authorizes funding for childcare fee assistance programs to eliminate fee assistance waitlists for eligible families;

A summary of the legislation is available here.

"I am frustrated that Speaker Mike Johnson tucked in a provision to target the LGBTQI+ community that limits TRICARE health care coverage for children of servicemembers - one that was initially removed in a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on this legislation," DeLauro continued. "Our troops put their lives on the line and our servicemembers and their families do not need the federal government dictating medical decisions. We must work together on a bipartisan basis to support our troops and protect our national security. Partisan provisions jeopardize that work."