Eight Buchanan Proposals Included in Final Annual Defense Spending Bill

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced that eight of his proposals were included in the final version of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which the U.S. House is expected to consider this week.

"These proposals will enhance military readiness, strengthen our alliances and honor the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces," said Buchanan. "This legislation reflects our unwavering commitment to America's servicemembers and their families. I'm very pleased to see so many of my proposals included in this bill and look forward to them being signed into law."

The eight Buchanan amendments in the FY25 NDAA include:

1. An amendment instructing the Secretary of Defense to examine ways to expand and improve the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which provides academic and fitness coaching to prospective recruits. This important initiative will help address recruitment shortfalls and bolster military readiness.
2. The Honoring Our Heroes with Dignity Act (H.R. 10301), which instructs the Army to resume horse-drawn funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. Last week, Buchanan introduced this legislation to honor our fallen servicemembers with a proper burial.
3. A mandate directing the Secretary of the Navy to provide a Congressional briefing on the actions taken to improve the training and safety program for operating Assault Amphibious Vehicles and Amphibious Combat Vehicles
4. A provision directing the Secretary of Defense to brief Congressional committees on the Department of Defense's (DOD) plan and strategy to construct a memorial to commemorate the 13 servicemembers who died during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal
5. A requirement that the Secretary of Defense provide a briefing to Congress before March 1, 2025, on the DOD's current efforts related to combatting obesity within the military
6. An amendment calling on the DOD to strengthen U.S. defense alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region in defense against Chinese exploitation
7. A requirement for the Secretary of Defense to provide a Congressional briefing on whether and to what extent active-duty servicemembers have adequate access to mental health care providers and services
8. A provision urging the Secretary of Defense to review the family separation allowance to determine whether it is adequate to meet the needs of military families and to adjust the allowance as appropriate

Last year, Buchanan had his 32nd and 33rd bill, the Rachel Booth Act and the DRIVE SAFE Act, signed into law as part of the FY24 NDAA. He has had four initiatives signed by President Bush, six by President Obama and 13 by President Trump. He has also seen ten legislative proposals signed into law by President Biden so far.

Buchanan has been a leading advocate in Congress for reforming current training procedures and improving emergency response capabilities in Congress after his constituent, Army Specialist Panipinto, died when the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was driving overturned during a road-test in 2019 in South Korea.