Senator Carper Statement on Final Senate Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

Senator Carper’s provision in the bill will directly impact servicemembers at Dover Air Force Base

Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) applauded Senate passage of the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024. This year’s legislation will provide $886 billion for our nation’s armed services and national defense, and includes a 5.2% pay raise for service members. The bill also includes critical funding to defend the U.S from the continued threats posed by China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. The Senate approved the legislation by a bipartisan vote of 87 to 13.

“As our nation continues to face unprecedented challenges to our national security, we must ensure that we have the resources we need to protect the American homeland,” said Senator Carper. “This bipartisan legislation will have a significant impact on the lives of our nation’s servicemembers, providing them with the support they need to defend the U.S. at home and abroad. Notably, this legislation will also authorize funding for a brand-new blood processing laboratory at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, which will become the primary provider of blood to our military men and women serving overseas.”

Senator Carper continued, “The NDAA will help us promote stability in the Pacific by authorizing key defense investments in the region and support Ukraine through authorizing funding for the Department of Defense Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Still, more work remains to continue our support of our allies and partners abroad. Today, we were able to come together in a bipartisan way to pass the NDAA, proving that Democrats and Republicans can work hand-in-hand. Bipartisan solutions are lasting solutions, and I urge my colleagues to keep this in mind as we continue negotiating critical national security legislation.”

###