Polk Times

Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18), a retired Naval Aviator and former House Armed Services Committee member, has voted in favor of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill, which passed the House by a vote of 310 – 118, aims to provide certainty for the military and address the threats faced by the United States.

"As a retired Navy Commander, I know ensuring certainty for our military is critical to our national defense," Rep. Franklin stated. "Providing for our common defense is also the most fundamental of our constitutional duties. While this bill does not include all the conservative wins I fought for in the version previously passed by the House, it is significantly better than the package negotiated with no Republican input last year."

Acknowledging the need for compromise in a divided government, Rep. Franklin emphasized the importance of funding the military to counteract global threats. He stated, "The threats we face demand that we pass an NDAA. In a divided government like we currently have, funding our military requires some degree of compromise. This bill provides needed tools to counter an unchecked China, while defending against threats from other adversaries. It also ensures our troops maintain military dominance and provides the largest pay raise for our troops in over 20 years."

The FY24 NDAA includes several critical provisions to combat the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). These provisions aim to strengthen national security and protect American interests. Some of the key elements of the bill include:

- Extending the Pacific Deterrence Initiative

- Accelerating the deployment of advanced radars to track high-altitude balloons and other CCP threats to the homeland

- Closing loopholes that allow Department of Defense (DoD) funds to go to universities operating CCP fronts like Confucius Institutes

- Prohibiting DoD from sourcing energy, battery technology, or chemical munitions from China

- Prohibiting DoD from contracting with any CCP-owned or controlled company operating in the U.S.

- Rejecting the Biden Administration's attempt to shrink the Navy

- Prohibiting DoD from working with the Wuhan Institute of Virology

- Blocking former DoD personnel from being employed by China

- Requiring DoD to identify, mitigate, and address CCP land purchases near military installations

Rep. Franklin's support for the FY24 NDAA demonstrates his commitment to national defense and ensuring that the military has the necessary resources to address emerging threats. The bill's passage reflects a bipartisan effort to prioritize the safety and security of the United States.

For more information, please visit Rep. Scott Franklin's official website: [link](https://franklin.house.gov/2023/12/franklin-supports-final-passage-of-the-fy24-ndaa)

To learn more, click on this link: https://franklin.house.gov/2023/12/franklin-supports-final-passage-of-the-fy24-ndaa