Murphy Votes YES on FY2022 NDAA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released the following statement after voting YES on H.R. 4350, the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

"I was proud to vote in favor of the FY2022 NDAA," said Rep. Murphy. "While this legislation is not perfect, I know that it will provide essential resources for our Armed Forces to defend our country and support U.S. servicemembers and their families. I am confident that the thousands of active-duty servicemembers in my district will greatly benefit from this vital legislation."

"Among many provisions, this year's NDAA authorizes a well-deserved 2.7% pay increase for servicemembers, extends retention bonuses, boosts the defense topline by nearly $25 billion and funds key counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan. I am relieved that during a time of great political division, Congress was able to come together today in strong bipartisan support our U.S. military. I will always be a fierce advocate for our brave servicemembers who risk so much to protect and defend our nation."

FY 2022 NDAA includes:

• Increasing the defense topline by nearly $25 billion, ensuring growth of 5% of FY21.
• Authorizes a 2.7% pay increase for servicemembers and extends military recruitment and retention bonuses and special pay authorities.
• Preserves servicemembers' free speech rights by protecting them from being punished for political statements on social media accounts.
• Focuses investment in new and emerging weapon systems capable of penetrating denied operating environments such as China.
• Authorizes $250 million to conduct counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and prohibits DoD from providing any financial support to the Taliban.
• Requires the DoD to immediately submit a plan to Congress on how it will support the evacuation of American citizens from Afghanistan, maintain air superiority, conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and carry out counter-terrorism operations.
• Strengthens Homeland Security by directing additional National Guard resource to the border and requiring an assessment of the impact on military readiness of DoD transporting illegal immigrants.
• Prohibits the transfer of terrorists housed at Guantanamo Bay to any country that is a state sponsor of terrorism.
• Prohibits the use of DoD funds to conduct research, including biomedical, infectious disease, and genomic research in China or with any entity controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
• Requires DoD and DNI to assess the involvement of the Chinese Communist Party in the origins of COVID-19.
• Focuses investment in new and emerging weapon systems capable of penetrating denied operating environments such as China.
• Requires a series of immediate reports to Congress on the following:
  • Number of Americans left behind in Afghanistan
  • Personally, identifying information and biometrics of Americans now in the hands of the Taliban
  • Itemized lists of aircraft, combat vehicles, and other U.S. military equipment left behind
  • Threats posed by Al Qaeda and other terrorists operating in Afghanistan
  • Strategic impacts of abandoning Bagram Air Base
  • Taliban relationship with foreign terrorist organizations
  • Security impacts on the Taliban release of terrorist prisoners
  • Financial assets and other resources available to the Taliban
• Halts President Biden's dangerous cuts to shipbuilding by providing funding for 13 new battle force ships and prohibiting the decommissioning of 3 cruisers.
• Reverses President Biden's dangerous cuts to the procurement of new aircraft, combat vehicles, autonomous systems, missiles, and ammunition.
• Prohibits a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccination and requires uniform procedures for vaccine exemptions.

• Prohibits DoD from acquiring any goods produced with Uyghur forced labor.
• Requires DoD to provide annual updates to Congress on China's military advancements and phases out the use of Chinese printed circuit boards in systems and equipment acquired by DoD.
• Requires biennial reporting on Russian influence operations and campaigns targeting U.S. military alliances and partnerships and continues prohibitions on military cooperation with Russia and any activities that recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea.

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