Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has cast her vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA). The bipartisan legislation, passed by the Senate with a vote of 85-14, aims to bolster military readiness and national security while supporting service members and their families.

Senator Capito remarked on the importance of strengthening national defense amid global conflict and instability. "Amid global conflict, instability across the world, and military buildups by our adversaries, it is critical that we strengthen our own national defense," she stated. She emphasized the bipartisan nature of the NDAA, highlighting provisions that prioritize defense at home and provide pay raises for troops. "By passing the NDAA, we are working in a bipartisan way to set priorities for our nation’s armed forces that shore up defenses at home, support our troops with pay raises, and counter the threats posed by America’s adversaries," Capito said.

The legislation includes several initiatives led or supported by Senator Capito that will benefit West Virginia. Among them is her Preserving JROTC Programs Act, which lowers enrollment requirements for JROTC programs from 100 to 50 students. This change aims to prevent unnecessary closures of such programs nationwide, including in West Virginia.

Capito also secured language allowing government-owned contractor-operated facilities like Allegany Ballistics Laboratory to modernize equipment more efficiently. Her contributions further include directing reports on U.S. Army strategies for Active Protection Systems and plans for undersea cable protection crucial to Department of Defense missions.

Key highlights of the NDAA include a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5% raise for other service members. It also prohibits new Department of Defense rules mandating weapon systems based on emissions rather than effectiveness.

Additional provisions focus on counter-drone warfare capabilities, child care center construction, measures against Chinese espionage, support for Taiwan through lethal assistance and training, accountability within the Department of Defense's leadership roles, and improving audit processes using AI technology.

Senator Capito expressed pride in working with her Senate colleagues on this legislation: "I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this incredibly important legislation... Our brave men and women in uniform deserve nothing less."