CONGRESSMAN BISHOP VOTES TO PASS BIPARTISAN BILLS TO STRENGTHEN U.S. ARMED FORCES, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE AMERICA'S VITAL WATER WAYS

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02) - Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus and a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction - supported the passage of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This bill establishes the budget and programs that make up the U.S. Defense Department and covers everything from developing and procuring the weapons and armor that America's armed forces use to paying the salaries of its troops. The 2024 bill includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted members.

"When it comes to our national defense, it is important that we do our best to maintain the world's most advanced armed forces. That means both supporting our servicemembers and their families as well as maintaining our vital military installations in Georgia and beyond and making sure our troops have cutting edge weapons and technology to get the job done," said Congressman Bishop. "I am particularly pleased that this bill includes a much needed 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted members of our armed forces. I have been raising the flag concerning food insecurity among active duty servicemembers and finding solutions to ensure no military family goes hungry. This military pay increase will help close the gap in the cost-of-living."

"I will continue to fight to ensure we take care of those who are securing America's national defense across the world and here at home," added Congressman Bishop.

The 2024 NDAA is supported by a wide range of military service organizations, including Blue Star Families, Military Family Advisory Network, Military Officers Association of America, and the National Military Family Association.

Yesterday, Congressman Bishop also supported the passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This bill authorizes funding and programs that improve the nation's ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of the nation's water resources infrastructure.

"WRDA is not only crucial to maintaining America's vital waterways, but it will also create jobs. The projects supported help keep our communities safe, boost local economies by making our waterways more accessible to Georgians and visitors from across the country, and ensure our ports - like the Port of Savannah - remain thriving gateways of commerce and trade for Georgia's businesses, including our agriculture industry," said Congressman Bishop.

WRDA supports a wide range of Army Corps of Engineers projects which include maintaining the vital Port of Savannah, investing in flood mitigation efforts in Albany, Georgia, and maintaining the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. The bill also reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Dam Safety Program through 2028.

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Issues:Building Our CommunitiesTransportation & InfrastructureMilitary, Veterans, & National SecurityArmed Services