NW Riverside News

Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert has unveiled the details of the defense appropriations act for Fiscal Year 2024, emphasizing its importance in providing essential resources for the military to safeguard America's interests globally. Chairman Calvert highlighted the key areas prioritized in the act, stating, "The Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Act provides our military with the resources it needs to protect America and defend our interests around the globe."

In addressing the escalating challenges posed by China, Chairman Calvert emphasized the significance of focusing on capabilities and assets to secure priorities in the Pacific region. He stated, "To stay ahead of our most pressing national security challenge, a rising China, the FY24 defense appropriations act focuses on the capabilities and assets required to put us in a position, along with our allies, to secure our priorities in the Pacific."

The act includes provisions such as funding for critical munitions production, increased security cooperation funding for Taiwan, modernization of the nuclear triad, procurement of new battle force ships, next-generation aircraft, and support for autonomous systems initiative and defense equipment for the National Guard.

Chairman Calvert also highlighted the importance of prioritizing innovation in the defense sector, stating, "The best way to leverage America’s technological superiority into a military advantage is to disrupt the status quo in our weapons acquisition process and find new ways to deliver innovative tools more rapidly to our warfighters." The act includes significant investments in the Defense Innovation Unit, Office of Strategic Capital, APFIT program, and authorization for agile research and development activities.

Efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Pentagon were underscored by Chairman Calvert, who emphasized the need to eliminate inefficiencies within the Defense Department. The act includes measures such as reallocating funds towards warfighter needs, reducing bureaucratic expenses, and investing in digital transformation initiatives.

Moreover, the act reinforces the military's role in combatting the fentanyl crisis, allocating resources for counternarcotics support, demand reduction, National Guard Counterdrug program, and initiatives to address the importation of fentanyl and its devastating impact on American communities.

Lastly, Chairman Calvert emphasized the importance of supporting servicemembers and their families, highlighting the act's provisions for a basic military pay increase, recruiting and retention incentives, combatting food insecurity, quality-of-life initiatives, and support for the National Guard Youth Challenge program.

In conclusion, Chairman Calvert's statement on the FY24 Defense Appropriations Act reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing key national security challenges, prioritizing innovation, efficiency, combatting the fentanyl crisis, and supporting the well-being of servicemembers and their families.