CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN VOTES TO PASS NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, INCREASE FUNDING FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND WEST POINT

Congressman Pat Ryan Votes to Pass National Defense Authorization Act, Increase Funding for National Security and West Point 

Passage follows Ryan’s call last week with Orange County Executive Neuhaus to include local priorities in the bill, such as a military pay raise and construction of an engineering center at West Point

KINGSTON, NY –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan, a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, helped pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill includes all the local priorities that Congressman Ryan outlined last week at a press conference with Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.  

"Last week, I stood outside Thayer Gate at West Point and called on Congress to rise above the partisan divide and come together to support our military- today, we delivered on that call to action,” said Representative Pat Ryan. “The bill includes several proposals that will have crucial impacts right here in the Hudson Valley, including tens of millions of dollars for a new engineering center at West Point, a 4.6% pay increase for service members, and additional funding for the Basic Allowance for Housing. I am proud to deliver this crucial funding for the Hudson Valley in conjunction with a variety of important national security objectives, including authorization of funding to strengthen our supply chains and plans to remove Department of Defense use of Russian energy sources. The 2023 NDAA is a victory for patriots across New York and across the country.” 

“I am pleased that the NDAA will be approved and that it will benefit West Point, the largest employer in Orange County,” said Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “This legislation will deliver for our men and women in uniform and was never a matter of Democrat or Republican. It was about standing up for those who put their lives on the line for this country. I thank Congressman Ryan for advocating for our servicemen and servicewomen.”

“This bill is notable for its focus on supporting troops and military families, including increases in military basic pay and housing allowances,” said Army veteran and Kingston resident Malia Du Mont. “I'm especially pleased that the bill requires continued progress on military justice reform efforts around sexual harassment and related offenses, and will also strengthen suicide prevention efforts within the Department of Defense. I'm relieved that troop pay and critical military infrastructure and equipment investments will not be held hostage to partisan posturing.” 

The National Defense Authorization Act now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass next week, before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. 

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