The Warren Sun

Today, Representative John James celebrated the signing of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 into law. Earlier in December, Representative James voted in favor of this year's NDAA, which includes significant provisions for servicemembers and their families, bolsters the defense industrial base, and emphasizes military readiness.

Representative James stated, "The FY25 NDAA is doing more for junior enlisted service members than past authorizations and I am beyond proud to have voted in support of our troops. This NDAA is also a victory for the men and women at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the Detroit Arsenal." He added that the legislation incorporates his Global Anti-Human Trafficking Enhancement Act to empower the State Department in investigating human trafficking cases.

The bill contains several Michigan-specific initiatives. It mandates a plan for sustaining and recapitalizing the Air National Guard Fighter Fleet, including the A-10 fighter squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. It increases procurement funding for F-15EX fighters by six units, totaling 24 for FY25. The bill also includes $37 million authorization for a Manned/Unmanned Tactical Vehicle Lab at Detroit Arsenal and $4.4 million design funding for a Michigan Army National Guard Readiness Center at Olympia Armory in Detroit.

Nationally, the FY25 NDAA authorizes $895.2 billion for defense programs, marking a $9 billion increase over FY24 levels. It provides a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% raise for others. Additionally, it allocates $176 million to construct new childcare centers and fully funds joint U.S.-Israel missile defense programs.

The act prohibits Department of Defense funding for transgender medical treatments for children and restricts contracting with Chinese civil-military companies' subsidiaries to prevent espionage.