House committee advances NDAA, which includes several Moore provisions

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee on June 23 overwhelmingly approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which includes several provisions sponsored by U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT), and advanced the bill to the full chamber for action.

“During a time of economic uncertainty and global geopolitical instability, the House Armed Services Committee carefully put together a defense authorization bill that will improve our defense systems and the lives of our service members,” Rep. Moore said. “For the second year, I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose the Biden administration’s consequential defense cuts and put forth a budget that serves the needs of both the warfighter and military families.”

According to information provided by the congressman’s staff, provisions supported by Rep. Moore that made it into the NDAA, H.R. 7900, include a strategy to modernize Hill Air Force Base, where 66 buildings need to be replaced, and improvements at the Utah Test and Training Range, which is adjacent to Hill Air Force Base.

Additional provisions include fully funding the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent “Sentinel” Program to avoid delays to nuclear modernization and to provide Hill Air Force Base with the ability to maintain an effective nuclear deterrent. The program is expected to bring as many as 4,000 new jobs and six new buildings to Utah’s defense community, according to the information.

Other Moore provisions included in the NDAA are housing for airmen; requiring the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to improve and better utilize American small businesses in the defense industrial base; and directing the DOD to coordinate with other government microelectronics manufacturing initiatives to increase the resiliency and integrity of American supply chains and to enhance the U.S. industrial defense capacity.

Rep. Moore said the bill also addresses the economic hardships of lower-enlisted personnel by providing an inflationary bonus, additional housing allowances, and funding to reduce food costs at military commissaries at bases across the country.

Most importantly, said the congressman, the NDAA provides the resources needed to continue deterring Russian aggression, combating Chinese provocation, and maintaining America’s position as a powerful global force. 

“It is an honor serving on the most bipartisan committee in Congress, and I’m eager to further refine this bill through the legislative process,” he said.