Recently the latest National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA FY25) passed the U.S. House. 18 of Representative Vern Buchanan’s (R-FL) amendments passed in the lower chamber. These bills vary from veteran care to supporting Israel to monitoring China’s use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Rep. Buchanan provided a statement after his amendments gained approval from his colleagues on the House floor.
“These eighteen amendments seek to address the health, safety and security of our active-duty troops and their families as well as improve military readiness and ensure we remain the world’s preeminent fighting force,” said Rep. Buchanan. “I’m humbled to see so many of my proposals pass the House this week with broad bipartisan support and am committed to seeing these enacted into law.”
These are the contents of the *18 amendments that made it through.
- Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to promptly notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about someone transitioning from active-duty service to civilian life with an opioid use disorder to prevent the VA from prescribing opioids to these individuals.
- Instructs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee on expanding and improving of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which aims to help individuals improve their academic and physical fitness prior to basic training.
- Mandates the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of establishing a mentoring program for members of the Armed Forces who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs or founding start-up businesses after their active-duty service.
- Calls on the DOD to continue helping Israel fend off attacks from Hamas by supporting the Iron Dome system.
- Directs the DOD to develop a strategy and education campaign to align programs to help combat obesity within the military.
- Informs DOD that the United States should not be spending more money to house illegal immigrants than we do on housing for America’s military families.
- Instructs the Secretary of Defense to create a strategy to support the transition of military aviation mechanics to commercial aviation mechanics after active-duty service.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress on a plan and strategy to construct a memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the 13 servicemembers who died during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Directs the Secretary of Defense to report on the threat of China’s use of AI in the military, such as rifle-toting robot dogs, and the national security threat posed to the U.S.
- Mandates the Secretary of the Army to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee on the effectiveness of the Optimizing the Human Weapon System Program and include recommendations on actions to improve or expand.
- Requires the Secretary of the Navy to report to Congress on the benefits and feasibility of establishing a training and safety program for operating Assault Amphibious Vehicles.
- Instructs the DOD to conduct a study on the accessibility of mental health care providers and services for members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on military technology and weapons lost to the Taliban during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Mandates the DOD to maintain prescription drop boxes on all military bases to allow for the safe disposal of unused prescription drugs, including opioids.
- Requires the Director of the Defense Health Agency to conduct a study and report to Congress on how the agency can increase access to telehealth services, including how telehealth can better mental health treatment outcomes.
- Calls on the Secretary of Defense to raise the Family Separation Allowance from $250 to $400 per month, as authorized by the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act.
- Instructs the Government Accountability Office to examine ways unmanned vehicles can reduce overall operating costs.
- Calls on the DOD to remain committed to the Philippines’ defense against Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific.
*Courtesy of Rep. Buchanan’s Office.
The Florida congressman has seen 33 of his initiatives passed into law by four different presidents. 18 more could be signed by President Joe Biden (D), bringing the total number of amendments under the current Commander-in-Chief to 28.
