On Thursday, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) announced the inclusion of key priorities in H.R. 1282, the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed out of committee on Wednesday. Sewell is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
“As a proud member of the House Armed Services Committee and the representative for critical military installations in Alabama, I take very seriously my responsibility to ensure that our service members get the tools and support they need to keep our nation safe,” said Rep. Sewell. “I’m thrilled to report that this year’s NDAA includes my provisions to continue modernizing Alabama’s Air National Guard facilities and support leadership training at Maxwell Air Force Base.”
Terri Sewell is in her seventh term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District.
“I was also proud to help secure numerous provisions to support our nation’s HBCUs in this year’s NDAA,” continued Sewell. “Our HBCUs perform critical research and help train a talented and diverse group of students whose skills are an asset to our national security. We must ensure that their potential does not go untapped. Thanks to a series of amendments and requests that we submitted, this NDAA strengthens the partnership between our military and our HBCUs, creates a workforce pipeline for minority students, and includes a record $125 million to invest in cutting-edge research at HBCUs.”
Rep. Sewell credited her leadership for securing the inclusion of critical priorities in the FY24 NDAA.
The first of these was modernizing Alabama’s Air National Guard Facilities and recognizing Air Force professional development education at Maxwell AFB.
Rep. Sewell’s amendment directing the Secretary of the Air Force to brief the Armed Services Committee on facility modernization plans for Air National Guard installations in Alabama, including the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham.
Thanks to a request submitted by Sewell, the NDAA acknowledges the important role Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base plays in training our brightest Air Force leaders, paving the way for innovative research, and advancing USAF combat operations.
The NDAA also includes an amendment that Rep. Sewell co-sponsored to boost research funding for HBCUs and MSIs by $20 million. This year’s NDAA includes a record $125 million to support cutting-edge research programs at HBCUs and MSIs and create workforce pipelines from minority and underserved communities.
It includes Rep. Sewell’s amendment to strengthen and expand partnerships between DoD and our nation’s HBCUs. The amendment directs the Air Force to brief the House Armed Services Committee on how it plans to partner with HBCUs to leverage their expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and Additive Manufacturing.
Sewell also worked towards expanding Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Programs at HBCUs.
The NDAA includes Rep. Sewell’s amendment requiring the Secretary of Defense to brief Congress on the DoD’s efforts to reduce opioid addiction among servicemembers and expand the use of non-opioid treatment alternatives.
The NDAA includes an amendment co-sponsored by Rep. Sewell to explore the process of improving the certification process for military families accessing free- and reduced-price school meals.
The NDAA includes an amendment co-sponsored by Rep. Sewell requiring the Secretary of Defense to brief the Armed Services Committee on the DoD’s efforts to screen for breast cancer among TRICARE beneficiaries.
This year’s NDAA authorizes crucial investments in America’s global alliances and partnerships. The NDAA includes robust investments to address the challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and acute threats from Russia and North Korea. It supports our nation’s service members and military families with a 5.2% pay raise.
The NDAA has been passed annually by Congress since 1961. The NDAA authorizes funding levels for the Department of Defense (DoD) and allows the Armed Forces to pay, train, and equip U.S. service members, support America’s allies worldwide, and carry out essential national security operations.
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
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