WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), released the below statement upon the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passing the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 350-80. The NDAA sets Department of Defense (DOD) policies and authorizes funding levels for defense programs.

"After months of bipartisan debate, conferencing, and committee work, the House has passed the FY23 NDAA. This bill takes necessary action against Chinese and Russian aggression and increases President Biden's proposed defense budget by $45 billion and will ensure our military is better funded, equipped, trained, and ready to fight in these dangerous times," Scott said.

"I'm particularly proud of the amendments I sponsored that will increase our military's ability to operate with key partners, including establishing a partnership program with Ukraine for research on military trauma care and an amendment expressing the need for joint exercises with Taiwan," he continued. "Relationships like these are critical to overcoming threats from Russia and communist China and ensuring democracy continues to thrive. Moreover, I am very proud of the relationship between the Georgia National Guard and the country of Georgia’s Armed Forces as part of the State Partnership Program."

The NDAA included 20 directive report language amendments from Scott regarding the National Guard, counternarcotics operations, expediting the hiring of DOD civilians, and assessments of the country of Georgia’s security needs. Scott also had bill language provisions in the legislation, including: 

Establishment of a Partnership Program Between the United States and Ukraine for Military Trauma Care and Research

No later than February 24, 2023, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into a partnership with the appropriate counterpart from the Government of Ukraine to establish a joint program on military trauma care and research. Such program shall consist of the following:

 (1) The sharing of relevant lessons learned from the Russo-Ukraine War.

 (2) The conduct of relevant joint conferences and exchanges with military medical professionals

 from Ukraine and the United States.

 (3) Collaboration with the armed forces of Ukraine on matters relating to health policy, health

 administration, and medical supplies and equipment, including through knowledge exchanges.

 (4) The conduct of joint research and development on the health effects of new and emerging weapons

Sense of Congress on Joint Exercises with Taiwan

This expresses the sense of Congress that the naval forces of Taiwan should be invited to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise.

Study on Practices with Respect to the Development of Military Construction Projects

This affirms practices with respect to how sustainable materials, such as mass timber and low-carbon concrete, are assessed and included in advanced planning, Department of Defense Form 1391 documentation, and planning and design.

Withholding of Certain Information about Sunken Military Crafts

This amendment would allow service secretaries to withhold information about the location of sunken military ships and aircraft from public disclosure. Scrappers are filing FOIA requests to get the locations of sunken ships to remove the steel for its scrap value illegally.

Membership of the U.S. Coast Guard on Joint Safety Council

This expands the Joint Safety Council to include an officer from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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