Rep. Ken Calvert
U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) on July 14 voted with the majority of his chamber to approve the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes several of his priorities.The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted 219-210 to approve the NDAA, H.R. 2670, which includes Rep. Calvert’s provision in Section 1854, which would transfer seven C-130 aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard to the State of California for use in wildfire suppression.
“California needs all of the support we can get in combating wildfires and these aircraft will provide desperately needed assistance in protecting lives and property,” Rep. Calvert said, adding that he’s been working “to get these aircraft to California and ready to fight fires as soon as possible.”
The NDAA also includes another provision requested by Rep. Calvert that would improve the safety of U.S. service members by adding new requirements to the Joint Safety Council, according to information provided by his staff.
The provision in Sec. 351 would require each military branch to develop a plan to resolve major accidents and mishaps by identifying corrective and preventative actions, the information says, and mirrors the intent of the MEZr Act, H.R. 4214, which Rep. Calvert sponsored on June 20.
H.R. 4214 honors Rep. Calvert’s constituent and F-16 pilot First Lt. David Schmitz (callsign MEZr), whose ejection seat malfunctioned while he was attempting a nighttime landing that ultimately resulted in a fatal crash.
“We owe it to our service members and their families to take every action possible to learn from past mistakes and work to prevent avoidable accidents that threaten the lives and safety of our troops,” said Rep. Calvert. “The NDAA includes meaningful reforms that will better protect American servicemembers.”
The FY 2024 NDAA also includes Rep. Calvert’s legislation, the Department of Defense (DOD) Entrepreneurial Innovation Act, H.R. 273, which he sponsored on Jan. 11 to require each military branch to designate at least five programs in which research and development is funded through a DOD Small Business Innovation Program (SBIR) as an Entrepreneurial Innovation Project.
The designation identifies small businesses providing products with new capabilities that enhance the national defense and would require the DOD to include the programs in their annual budget, with the funding specifically identified so that Congress can ensure they are fully resourced, according to the information provided by Rep. Calvert.
“Too often, the DOD does not fulfill the intent of the SBIR program by never inserting promising mature technologies, products, or processes into programs. The Entrepreneurial Innovation Act authorization will force the Service Secretaries to pick the most promising SBIR programs and budget for them,” the congressman said.
“Not only will this expand the defense industrial base, but it will create disruption within the Services to existing incumbent providers and help maintain our technological edge,” he added. “I believe we can find ways to get our warfighters advanced tools in a faster timeframe while also lowering costs for U.S. taxpayers.”