NW Riverside News

On June 22, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert issued the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill was advanced by the House Appropriations Committee:

“My first bill as Chairman of the Defense Appropriations makes strategic and historic investments that prepare our military to fulfill its vital mission to keep America safe. Ensuring the backbone of our national security, the U.S. service member, are properly cared for, the bill includes a historic pay increase – an average of 30% – to help junior enlisted servicemembers keep up with the rising cost of living. In order to meet the pressing need to deploy American innovation on the battlefield faster, the bill provides significant funding for the Defense Innovation Unit and a record level of funding for the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program.

To address the growing threat posed by a rising China, the bill includes over $9 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and provides robust cooperation funding for Taiwan. The bill also takes bold actions necessary to meet the fentanyl crisis that is killing Americans at record levels by providing record-high investments in Defense Department drug interdiction and counter-drug activities and transferring Mexico from the jurisdiction of NORTHCOM to SOUTHCOM, which has a long history of successful international and interagency counter drug operations.

From the outset of my Chairmanship, I outlined the four priorities that would inform my approach in crafting this bill: Investing in America’s Military Superiority, Shaping a More Efficient and Effective DoD, Combatting International Actors Facilitating Drug Trafficking and Manufacturing, and taking care of our Servicemembers and their Families. I am proud of the bold steps in this bill to meet those challenges.”

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

Chairman Calvert’s opening remarks from today can be read here.

Chairman Calvert’s priorities here.

Original source can be found here.