Speaker Johnson Statement on House Passage of the FY25 NDAA

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement commending the passage of H.R. 5009, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. 

“Today’s passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes important wins for our troops and ensures our military has the necessary resources and support to defend our great nation. Our men and women in uniform should know their first obligation is protecting our nation, not woke ideology. It’s disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission.

“That is why this year’s NDAA refocuses our military on its core mission of defending America. The legislation supports law enforcement operations and the deployment of the National Guard to the southwest border, expedites innovation and reduces the acquisition timeline for new weaponry, supports our allies, and strengthens our nuclear posture and missile defense programs.

“Because we believe in peace through strength, we blocked the Biden Administration’s plan to reduce the number of US special forces. We remain determined to confront increasingly hostile threats from Communist China, Russia, and Iran, and this legislation provides our military with the tools they need to deter our enemies and keep America safe.

“We also believe it’s important to refocus the Pentagon on military lethality, not radical woke ideology. This legislation permanently bans transgender treatment for minors, prohibits critical race theory in military academies, ends the DEI bureaucracy, and combats antisemitism.

“This legislation also reinforces our commitment to America’s brave men and women in uniform, and their families, by making landmark investments in their quality of life. I’m proud that we’re providing significant pay increases to our servicemembers, reducing barriers to employment for military spouses, and improving military housing and access to childcare.

“The safety and security of the American people is top priority, and this bill ensures our military has the resources and capabilities needed to remain the most powerful force in the world.”

Highlights from FY25 NDAA Legislation: 

• Provide junior enlisted servicemembers with a 14.5% pay raise.
• Fully support the deployment of National Guard at the southwest border to intercept illegal aliens and drugs.
• Includes dozens of sections that address PRC security threats and economic security issues
• Prevent Chinese espionage in our military, supply chains, and research institutions.
• Expand U.S.-Israel military exercises and fully fund cooperative missile defense programs. 
• Increase funding for U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies. 
• Save $31 billion by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons, and bloated Pentagon bureaucracy. 
• Cut $4 billion in programs that do not meet requirements.
• Prohibit contracts with advertising firms that blacklist conservative news sources, like NewsGuard Technologies Inc.
• Abolish the DEI bureaucracy and climate change programs.
• Bans the teaching, training, or promotion of critical race theory.
• Permanently ban transgender medical treatment for minors. 
• Counter antisemitism by prohibiting sale of goods at DOD commissaries and exchanges from any entities that have or are engaged in a boycott of Israel. 

FY25 NDAA legislative text and summary available here.