Cornhusker State News

WASHINGTON, DC. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the top Republican on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, yesterday voted in favor of advancing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.

This annual legislation authorizes defense spending and sets the policy and priorities for our military. The bill contains many Fischer provisions she successfully included. The bill passed committee by a bipartisan vote of 24 to 1. In total, the bill supports $886 billion in FY 2024 funding for our national security.

“This is another strong NDAA that takes care of our troops and properly addresses the challenges adversaries like China and Russia pose. As a senior member of the committee, I secured critical provisions to continue the modernization of our nuclear deterrent – the bedrock of our national security. I also successfully led several provisions to support Nebraska institutions like STRATCOM and Offutt Air Force Base, which play a vital role in keeping this country safe,” said Senator Fischer.

Below are highlights from the FY24 Senate NDAA:

Overall Bill Highlights

• Supports an increase in basic pay levels for service members by 5.2%.

Support for Nebraska Military Equities

Senator Fischer wrote and secured many provisions in the FY 24 NDAA to support Nebraska military equities, including facilities, missions, and platforms. She also fought to enhance defense- related partnerships and programs that are important to the state.

• Authorizes Essential Military Construction Projects Across Nebraska
  • Includes:
    • Complete the National Guard Readiness Center (Bellevue, NE)
    • Planning and design of Collective Training Unaccompanied Housing, Open Bay (Greenlief Training Site, NE)
    • Complete the Collective Training Unaccompanied Housing, Open Bay (Mead Training Site, NE)
    • Complete the National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop (North Platte, NE)
    • Planning and design of the Logistics Readiness Squadron Transportation Facility (Offutt AFB)
    • Planning and design of the new maintenance facility and warehouse for the 55th Wing's Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) Pavements and Grounds Shop (Offutt AFB)
    • Planning and design of the Base Operations/Mobility Center (Offutt AFB)
    • Microgrid and backup power (Offutt AFB)
    • Planning and design of a new laboratory for Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (Offutt AFB)
• Fully Funds the 55th Wing, authorizes upgrades to their RC-135’s systems: The 55th Wing, which is primarily based at Offutt, performs essential intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Sen. Fischer’s continued advocacy ensured the 55th Wing’s budget remains fully funded. Sen. Fischer also secured $20 million to upgrade the RC-135 position, navigation, and timing systems, which are critical to operating in specific threat environments.
• Supports Sentinel emplacement: The U.S. Air Force will be replacing the LGM–30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system with the LGM–35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system. This project is the most significant and complex weapon system in recent U.S. history. Sen. Fischer secured provisions to provide Sentinel with multiyear procurement authority, stabilize key supply chains, and increase program efficiency.
• Supports Offutt’s Weather Wing: The Air Force Weather Agency, or 557th Weather Wing, is headquarter at Offutt Air Force Base. The Wing collects and analyzes valuable meteorology information for the U.S. military.  This FY 24 NDAA includes over $9 million for the Weather Wing to accelerate their data migration efforts.
• Advances NC3 Modernization: Authorizes $10 million for STRATCOM’s NC3 network sensor demonstrator.
• Authorizes additional resources for Rapid Emerging Architecture Collaboration Hub (REACH): Sen. Fischer has consistently advocated for the REACH program and its work on NC3 modernization. The FY 24 NDAA includes $10 million to support NRDC’s collaboration with STRATCOM.
• Assists Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA): The DPAA works to locate and identify missing military personnel from past conflicts. Sen. Fischer secured provisions to provide DPAA with additional tools to carry out this sacred mission.
• Sets Up New Electromagnetic Spectrum Enterprise: Requires the establishment of an Electromagnetic Spectrum Enterprise Operational Lead for Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations at STRATCOM.

Strategic Forces Provisions

As the top Republican on the Strategic Forces subcommittee, Senator Fischer continued delivering wins that strengthen America’s nuclear deterrent. Working with her colleagues, Senator Fischer again overturned decisions by the Biden administration that would have weakened our nuclear deterrence amid adversaries own nuclear buildouts.

• Authorizes full funding for the continued modernization of our nuclear triad and supports Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) architecture.
• Continues funding for the Sea Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) program
  • Codifies SLCM as a program of record.
  • Authorizes over $75 million to continue the NNSA’s research and development of the W80-4 ALT SLCM Warhead, and $190 million for the Navy’s development of the SLCM body.
• Restructures the Dept of Defense’s coordination of electronic warfare activities and capabilities development.
• Encourages the Department of Defense to review and act on requirements for domestic production of scandium.
• Extends the prohibition on retiring the B83 nuclear gravity bomb until Congress receives the Department plan to address hard and deeply buried targets.
• Improves munitions storage processes at Guam.
• Authorizes increased cooperation between the United States and Israel on directed energy missile defense programs.

Additional Fischer Provisions

Senator Fischer successfully included several other provisions related to her national security priorities in the FY 24 NDAA.

Expanding Domestic Munitions Production:

Sen. Fischer has repeatedly raised concerns about the importance of expanding munitions production capacity. This is especially critical when considering the rate at which Ukraine and Russia are running through munitions, as well as China’s dramatic military buildup. 

The FY 24 Senate NDAA includes Fischer provisions to extend waivers for streamlined munitions acquisitions and authorizes additional munitions to be eligible for multiyear procurements.

Combating China’s Propaganda Efforts in Hollywood:

The Chinese Communist Party often looks to leverage its economic ties to Hollywood to pre-emptively censor “threatening” content and promote pro-China propaganda. Last year, Sen. Fischer fought for a provision to prohibit the Department of Defense from participating in entertainment projects with ties to the Chinese government. This year, Sen. Fischer secured a provision extending that prohibition through FY 24.

Original source can be found here