East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans from Idaho, have cast their votes in favor of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation is designed to enhance the military capabilities of the United States and address national security concerns while including specific provisions that are significant for Idaho.

The NDAA for FY 2025 aims to support military personnel and their families through salary increases, better access to childcare, employment opportunities, and improvements in military housing. The act also includes language prohibiting the Department of Defense from implementing initiatives centered on gender identity.

"The FY2025 NDAA includes a plethora of wins for Idaho and America," stated Senator Crapo. He highlighted the inclusion of language from his bill, the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act, which aims to protect fighter squadrons like Idaho's 190th Fighter Squadron from reductions. Crapo emphasized securing funds for projects at Mountain Home Air Force Base and Idaho National Laboratory as beneficial for local communities and national security.

Senator Risch remarked, "This year’s NDAA places the safety of the American people ahead of woke identity politics." He noted that critical resources such as pay raises are directed towards service members to bolster national security both domestically and internationally.

Provisions secured by Senators Crapo and Risch include requiring a plan from the U.S. Air Force to sustain fighter fleets amid low pilot numbers; directing a report on domestic supply components like nitrocellulose; supporting Project Pele with additional resources; providing cleanup resources at INL; funding for Idaho Falls Naval Reactors Facility; and directing funds to Mountain Home Air Force Base Child Development Center.

The FY 2025 NDAA further provides a pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers, expands access to childcare and healthcare, authorizes funding for barracks improvements, prohibits DOD spending on certain medical procedures related to gender transition for minors, blocks critical race theory programming within military education institutions, eliminates DEI positions at DOD, counters antisemitism by restricting contracts with entities boycotting Israel, takes steps against Chinese espionage at military facilities, streamlines bureaucracy for rebuilding military arsenal, reaffirms support for allies in Asia-Pacific regions like Taiwan and South Korea against adversaries, and extends authority to support partner forces fighting ISIS.