Austin News

The Senate has approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which incorporates several priorities and legislative measures authored by U.S. Senator John Cornyn to benefit Texas. This legislation is set to aid Texas service members and military installations, foster job creation, and bolster national security efforts.

Senator Cornyn emphasized the importance of this bill in addressing evolving global threats. "As the global threat landscape continues to evolve and grow increasingly dangerous, America must take strategic steps to bolster our military readiness and deter foreign adversaries," he stated. "This legislation will strengthen our national security, support our service members, and help ensure our allies trust us and our enemies fear us once again."

Several pieces of legislation introduced by Sen. Cornyn have been included in the NDAA:

- The Protecting Investments in our Ports Act ensures that applicants for competitive grant funding from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) can only purchase secure digital infrastructure or software components with a certified security plan.

- The Enable IC Partnerships Act promotes public-private partnerships with the Intelligence Community for streamlined acquisitions and workforce development.

- The Safeguarding Tactics and Operational Procedures (STOP) Enemies Act updates the Uniform Code of Military Justice to prevent active duty and retired service members from offering military training or advice to foreign adversaries.

- The Private Smither Act mandates that the Department of Defense provide a healthcare provider's affiliation in patient records.

- Provisions authorize land conveyance from Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center to Paris Junior College.

- The Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act allows using the Defense Modernization Fund for commercial technology integration.

- The Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act permits contracting officers more flexibility in choosing cost-effective options with nontraditional defense contractors.

- The Solid Propulsion Enhancement and Advancement for Readiness (SPEAR) Act secures the domestic supply chain of solid rocket motors.

- The Project Safe Childhood Act enhances online child exploitation investigation and prosecution.

The NDAA also includes Texas-specific provisions such as a 4.5% pay raise for troops, authorization of $590.7 million for military construction projects across Texas, including significant investments at Fort Bliss, Fort Cavazos, Red River Army Depot, Dyess Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Laughlin Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas Air National Guard in Fort Worth, Lackland Air Force Base.

Additionally, it authorizes $1.25 billion for Future Long Range Assault Aircraft development benefiting Army aviation units with upgraded aircraft. It includes resources for maintaining air superiority through modernization of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet produced at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth.

Other benefits include support for job creation across multiple industries in Texas, authorization of water acres to El Paso for stormwater flood control at Fort Bliss, expanded childcare access for military families' children, and employment programs for military spouses.