Petroplex News

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. Congressman August Pfluger from Texas's 11th district expressed his support for the bill, highlighting its benefits for military personnel and specific initiatives he championed.

Rep. August Pfluger stated, “It is our duty in Congress to equip our men and women in uniform with the tools and resources needed to be laser-focused on lethality to protect our country. I proudly voted for this strong national defense bill which includes major conservative wins—including a pay raise for all enlisted service members, freezing the hire of DEI personnel, and banning gender affirming care for minor children of servicemembers."

Pfluger emphasized the impact of the legislation on Goodfellow Air Force Base and Fort Cavazos, noting funding increases for upgrades to barracks and investments in other projects.

Specific initiatives within the FY 2025 NDAA that Pfluger supported include fully funding the "Rip and Replace" program to remove Chinese communications technology from U.S. networks, requiring information on Iranian oil exports funding terrorist proxies, restoring B-52 bombers' nuclear capacities, developing a space security strategy with Middle Eastern allies, and allowing service academy graduates to play professional sports while fulfilling their service obligations through reserve duty.

The overall highlights of the FY25 NDAA include a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5 percent raise for others. It also addresses cost-of-living adjustments abroad, expands access to Basic Needs Allowance, authorizes additional funds for housing maintenance, and requires strategies for public-private partnerships in housing development.

Additionally, the bill prohibits funding for gender-affirming care for minors and critical race theory while instituting a hiring freeze on new DEI personnel.