Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for our country, and they should be compensated accordingly.

As a former Navy helicopter pilot, a Navy spouse, and now a Navy mom, I am laser focused on addressing obstacles faced by our servicemembers. I was proud to serve on the House Armed Services Committee Quality of Life Panel, where we addressed issues for our servicemembers, including increases to military pay, housing, healthcare, childcare, and spousal support.

Pay is one of the many quality of life improvements needed across the board for our servicemembers. That is why I fought hard to include a pay raise for our junior enlisted servicemembers in the final text. The 14.5 percent pay increase for E-1 through E-4s will ensure military salaries can remain competitive with the private sector.

At a time when our world grows more dangerous every day, America needs to prioritize our warfighters and ensure that we can maintain a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force. It is imperative that our military men and women earn a salary befitting of the service they provide to our country.

Today's legislation is exactly what we need to deter our adversaries, improve the quality of life for our servicemembers, and revitalize our defense industrial base. I am confident that passing the NDAA will be a significant win for the young men and women in the military and their families, our national security, and our entire country.

I am always proud to advocate in Congress for our servicemembers and their quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying, as my colleague did: Go Navy, and beat Army.

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