NDAA Update: NMFA Takes a Stand for Military Families
In the Nation’s Capital, certain things are supposed to happen every year without fail. In the spring, the cherry blossoms bloom. Every July brings fireworks on the National Mall. And in the fall, Congress passes the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which sets the policies and funding guidelines for the Department of Defense. Even during the worst partisan gridlock, for more than sixty years Congress has managed to pass the massive bill funding the Department of Defense.
About the NDAA
The process of drafting and passing the NDAA is lengthy. It begins in late February/early March, when the President submits his budget request for the fiscal year beginning on October 1 to Congress. The Armed Services Committees in the House and Senate write their own versions of the NDAA. This year the House passed its version of the legislation on July 14. The Senate passed its version of the legislation on July 27. Now, both chambers will work to negotiate their differences in conference.
NMFA Puts Military Families First
NMFA has provided input throughout the process. We submitted a letter to the Armed Services Committees to lay out our legislative priorities before the chambers took up consideration of the FY24 NDAA. Most recently, we sent a letter to the Armed Services Committees to tell them what we support and oppose in both the House and Senate versions of the NDAA.
We continue to work with the House Armed Services Committee’s Quality of Life panel to provide them input we hear from families.
What would you like to tell the legislators that are negotiating the differences between the House and Senate versions of the FY24 NDAA? Share Your Story below.
By: Kelly Hruska, Government Relations Director
