In late June, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) – a member of the committee – applauded the bill which includes $886.3 billion in defense spending. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) endorsed the bill as well. However, Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) has introduced more than 10 amendments, stating that they will make a “stronger and safer America.”
Notable amendments Rep. Steube brought forward address military members who refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and state sponsors of terrorism.
“I filed thirteen amendments to this year’s NDAA to ensure our military’s budget prioritizes the safety and security of the American people. My amendments are commonsense and will make our nation safer and stronger. To name a few: Military personnel who chose to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine should be reinstated with backpay, DEI activities should not be funded in the Armed Forces, and state sponsors of terrorism should not be able to purchase U.S. real estate,” said Rep. Steube.
Moreover, one of Steube’s amendments looks to invoke transparency surrounding the funding of the Ukrainian defense against Russian aggression.
“My amendment directing the DoD’s Office of Inspector General to report to Congress on the U.S. taxpayer-funded assistance to Ukraine will provide critical transparency to the American people on the billions we sent to Ukraine, since this administration has failed to do so,” the Florida Congressman stated.
When the bill passed the SASC, Sen. Scott called it a “big win for Florida.”
“Florida is home to 21 military bases and three unified combatant commands, nearly 64,000 active duty members, 38,000 reservists and over 1.5 million veterans…As the threat of China continues to grow, and our focus shifts to the Indo-Pacific, we must continue to make smart investments in our armed forces and continue bolstering our defense capabilities. As Florida’s senator, I’ve been proud to advocate for major investments in our defense capabilities and in Florida’s military bases over the past five years,” stated Sen. Scott.
Rep. Waltz said that the NDAA will “help ensure America can face these growing challenges ahead while protecting our strategic interests at home and abroad – and improving the quality of life for the men and women of our armed services and their families.”
The bill still needs to make its way through the House and the Senate and to the President’s desk to become law.
