Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement on his vote to pass H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 or FY23 NDAA.
 
“Today, I voted in support of the FY23 NDAA, which provides our men and women in uniform with the tools, support, and financial resources necessary to defend our nation. The U.S. Constitution states that providing for the ‘common defense’ is one of our fundamental responsibilities. The bill reverses President Biden’s defense spending cuts and better equips the United States to counter adversaries such as China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. The measure invests in our warfighters, modernizes our military, affirms our relations with allies like Taiwan, and strengthens our national security. Further, this bill ensures pay raises for our troops and authorizes funding for military construction and family housing.
 
“This bill is not perfect, Democrats blocked Republican attempts to reverse the unnecessary COVID vaccine mandate Secretary Austin has required, which unfairly targets some of our service members and undermines readiness. However, thanks to Republican negotiators, it is a step in the right direction to provide our military the training and resources they need to be the world’s finest fighting force. Our freedom, our families, and our way of life would not exist if not for our military.”
 
The FY23 NDAA:
  • Authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and additional 2.4% pay bonus for enlisted personnel
  • Establishes a Servicemember Parent Bill of Rights to secure the rights of parents in their children’s education at DOD schools.
  • Prevents Biden’s cuts and authorizes 13 new ships and $250 million to expand and modernize our shipyards.
  • Establishes a National Hypersonic Initiative to accelerate the development of hypersonic missiles.
  • Requires comprehensive review of assistance provided to Ukraine by the DOD Inspector General.
  • Extends the prohibition on a dishonorable discharge for service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and prohibits the implementation of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on DOD contractors and servicemembers until Congress receives a report on its impact on readiness
  • Fully funds the National Guards operations and maintenance account to support a border deployment.
  • Clearly states that the border crisis is a national security issue. 
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