Rep. Vern Buchanan
The newly enacted Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2025 includes several military-related proposals offered by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL).
“I’m proud to see these critical initiatives to enhance military readiness and expand healthcare options for service members signed into law to target some of the most pressing issues facing our military,” Rep. Buchanan said on Jan. 2. “I’m pleased to get these bills across the finish line and look forward to securing even more wins in the 119th Congress alongside President Trump’s administration.”
Among the eight amendments from Rep. Buchanan included in the fiscal year 2025 NDAA, H.R. 5009, is one instructing the U.S. Secretary of Defense to examine ways to expand and improve the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which provides academic and fitness coaching to prospective recruits, according to a summary provided by his staff.
Also included in the NDAA is the congressman’s Honoring Our Heroes with Dignity Act, H.R. 10301, which he sponsored on Dec. 5, 2024 to instruct the U.S. Army to resume horse-drawn funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery.
Among others, Rep. Buchanan’s mandate directing the Defense Secretary to provide a congressional briefing on whether and to what extent active-duty service members have adequate access to mental health care providers and services also was included in the NDAA.
“My proposals signed into law as part of the final NDAA will strengthen our alliances and honor the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces,” said Rep. Buchanan. “This legislation reflects our unwavering commitment to America’s servicemembers and their families.”
Additionally, the NDAA included an amended version of Rep. Buchanan’s Permanent Telehealth from Home Act, H.R. 134, which removes geographic limitations to telehealth services. The 2025 NDAA appropriations bill extends this flexibility into 2025.
“Making telehealth services available to patients regardless of their location is a major win for the nearly 200,000 seniors in my district and anyone in need of accessible, convenient care,” Rep. Buchanan said. “I look forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to make this flexibility permanent and expand access to telehealth services.”