WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) highlighted the defense victories in the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) after its passage in the House of Representatives last week. 

The NDAA included the following provisions to strengthen our military and benefit our men and women in uniform:

• Increases defense spending by 5% over FY21 
• Gives a 2.7% pay raise to our servicemembers
• Declares a national security crisis at the southern border and directs National Guard resources to border security
• Holds the Biden administration accountable for its disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and prohibits the Department of Defense from providing any financial support to the Taliban
• Increases parental leave, expands the in-home childcare pilot program, and improves support available to military families with special needs children
• Puts the Navy back on track to building a 355 ship Navy
• Establishes a program to prevent fraud and abuse in the Military Health System.

This year’s NDAA also included an amendment authored by Congressman Gonzales and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) to form a National Digital Reserve Corps.

“This year’s NDAA included a number of provisions critical to strengthening our national defense, improving our military readiness, and helping our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines,” said Congressman Gonzales. “Our national security is more important now more than ever, as we see a rise in ransomware attacks from bad actors, the Taliban regaining power in the Middle East and continued threats from China, Russia, and Iran. As a veteran and representative of Military City USA, I am proud to support this year’s NDAA, our national defense strategy, and our men and women in uniform.”

Congressman Gonzales served two decades in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 2019 as a Master Chief Petty Officer.