WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022.
“I’m thrilled that this year’s NDAA secures another win for Fort Knox with the authorization of a new Fort Knox Child Development Center. In last year’s NDAA I was proud to support the new Van Voorhis Elementary School at Fort Knox, which will break ground soon. To build on our efforts to ensure we take care of our service members and their families, our troops will see a pay raise and improvements to their housing and child care.
“This NDAA strengthens our defenses against potential aggressions from China, Russia, and other adversaries as well as enhances our counter-terrorism capabilities. Further, this ensures accountability on the botched withdrawal process from Afghanistan.
“Earlier this year I expressed my concerns to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin on the potential negative impact that the federal vaccine mandate could have on military readiness. I’m pleased to see that there was bipartisan support in the NDAA to provide a uniform exemption process for service members seeking a vaccine exemption and ensures that service members are not dishonorably discharged due to refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. This bill takes care of military readiness, supports our troops and their families, and directly benefits Fort Knox, and I hope to see it signed into law,” said Guthrie.
Background:
- Authorizes $27 million for the new Fort Knox Child Development Center.
- Provides a 2.7% pay raise for service members.
- Preserves critical training capability by requiring the Department of Defense to maintain access to a Category 3 subterranean training facility, like the Crestwood Facility in Kentucky near Fort Knox.
- Strengthens our deterrence by authorizing funding for new ships, submarines, projection forces, long range precision fires, hypersonics, and other critical systems.
- Reverses President Joe Biden’s proposed cuts to the procurement of new aircraft, combat vehicles, autonomous systems, missiles, and ammunition.
- Strengthens partnerships in the Pacific by supporting Taiwan and providing $7 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to counter China.
- Authorizes full funding for the European Deterrence Initiative to strengthen our efforts against Russia.
Guthrie voted for a previous version of the NDAA on September 23, 2021.
