WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) spoke on the House Floor Thursday ahead of a vote on the Servicemembers Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. He also laid out the benefits to service members, their families, and to national security.
The full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:
Mister Speaker, I rise in support of the Servicemembers Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
This legislation equips our military with the tools and resources needed to protect our nation from the growing threats abroad, now and in the future. It also prioritizes the military’s number one resource: our service members.
It would provide junior enlisted service members with a 19.5% pay raise. This would help offset the crippling inflation of the last 3.5 years and improve military recruitment. It would provide employment support for their spouses. And this bill calls for more funding for their housing, childcare, and healthcare.
Importantly, this NDAA will work to deter further aggression from the Community Chinese Party by strengthening and modernizing our defenses. This NDAA also supports greater oversight, cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, ultimately saving taxpayers billions.
You can watch the speech here.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://johnrose.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-rose-speaks-support-fy25-ndaa-legislation