Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement on his vote to pass H.R. 8070, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY25. In voting for this bill, Webster upholds his fundamental congressional responsibility as stated by the United States Constitution to, ‘provide for the common defense.’
 
“Today I voted to pass legislation that upholds my commitment to Americans to deliver a nation that’s safe,” said Rep. Webster. “This NDAA improves the quality of life of our nation’s service members and their families, and provides the resources needed for our military to counter threats from our adversaries.”
 
“I’m pleased that the FY25 NDAA builds upon the work of House Republicans in last year’s NDAA to ensure that our nation’s military is focused on being the best fighting force in the world, and not woke politics. I am particularly pleased that an amendment I cosponsored to block funding for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s policy of using taxpayer dollars to cover abortion costs for service members was adopted and is part of this bill.”
 
“I am not pleased that our bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act was excluded from this year’s NDAA. This important legislation is necessary for the Coast Guard to carry out their national defense mission to protect our coasts, secure our maritime borders, ports and waterways, and respond to emergencies and disasters. I will continue working with House and Senate leadership to get our Coast Guard bill through the Senate and to President Biden.”
 
Highlights of H.R. 8070, passed with bipartisan support:
 

• Blocks the Biden Administration’s plan to reduce the number of U.S. Special Forces.
• Invests in the development of innovative and new technologies to ensure our military prevails on future battlefields.
• Provides a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers.
• Waives the TRICARE referral requirement, providing servicemembers with direct access to specialty medical providers.
• Provides over $204 million for the construction of new childcare centers.
• Saves $30 billion in taxpayer dollars by cutting inefficient programs and obsolete weapons.
• Enhances Congressional oversight of Department of Defense programs.
• Fully funds the deployment of National Guard troops at our southern border. 
• Prohibits the DoD from establishing or maintaining any office or committee tasked with recommending or implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies at DoD schools. 
• Prevents a Military Green New Deal by prohibiting the DoD from authorizing any climate change programs.

• Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region and includes funding for new technologies, munitions and force projections needed to ensure overmatch with the Chinese Community Party (CCP).