Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
Floor Speech
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Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8070. This legislation is crucial for enhancing our national security, improving the quality of life for our servicemembers, and ensuring the readiness of our Armed Forces.
I thank Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith, my good friend Joe Courtney, and the members of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee for their dedication. Their commitment is essential to maintaining America's naval superiority.
Today, we face a significant threat from China, a hostile adversary seeking to disrupt local peace. China's military expansion poses a direct threat to the Indo-Pacific region. To counter this threat, we need to maintain the strongest and most formidable naval force on the planet.
This legislation addresses these concerns directly. It funds a second Virginia-class submarine, reinforcing our undersea dominance and providing critical strategic deterrence.
Additionally, it supports six battle-force ships, invests in the shipyard industrial base, and demands consistency in the Navy's shipbuilding plan, allowing industry to invest with confidence.
This bill also prevents the early retirement of two guided missile cruisers, meets the congressionally mandated floor of 31 amphibious ships, and authorizes funding for a domestic new-build sealift program.
H.R. 8070 makes significant strides in improving the quality of life for our servicemembers by authorizing a 19.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted and a 4.5 percent increase for all others, addressing the financial struggles many military families face.
Attending to the deteriorating condition of military housing is long overdue. This bill authorizes substantial funding to tackle housing maintenance, construct new family housing units, and renovate existing barracks, ensuring servicemembers have safe and dignified living conditions.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this great bill.
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