Sw Louisiana News

Congressman Clay Higgins, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced the passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA). The bill emphasizes support for the U.S. Armed Forces and specific initiatives in Louisiana.

Higgins stated, "The NDAA represents a major commitment to our Armed Forces and Louisiana. Congress is responsible for providing our servicemen and women with the weapons and technology to address security threats. The FY25 NDAA refocuses the Department of Defense on lethality and force readiness. In Louisiana, we’re working to prioritize our bases, protect small shipyards, and lead on the development of autonomous systems."

The legislation allocates funds for various programs in Louisiana, including $12 million for the Navy's patrol boat program and $30 million for producing vessels under the Navy’s Yard, Repair, Berthing, Messing (YRBM) initiative. It also prioritizes developing Small Unmanned Surface Vessels (sUSVs) and extends the lifecycle of F-15E aircraft while requiring a study on their capabilities for supporting the Louisiana National Guard.

Further allocations include $33 million for Lafayette Readiness Center under the Louisiana Army National Guard, $50 million for Fort Johnson's Rotational Unit Billeting Area, $116 million authorized for a Joint Operations Center at Fort Johnson, and an additional $22 million above budget requests for a Child Development Center at Barksdale Air Force Base. The bill also mandates an assessment to improve alternate strategic seaport operational readiness along Gulf Coast states and requires expedited review by MARAD of Deepwater Port Applications for Delfin LNG.

Additionally, the NDAA introduces measures addressing policies established during the Biden-Harris administration. These include limiting new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) positions through a hiring freeze at the Department of Defense (DOD), prohibiting "gender-affirming" care for minors, banning funding related to critical race theory in DOD schools, and strengthening provisions against adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran.