WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement upon passage of the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“Our military service members and their families deserve unwavering support, so I am proud that the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) delivers a well-deserved pay raise for our troops while safeguarding America’s national security and boosting vital strategic alliances.

“I am particularly proud to have championed parts of the defense bill that benefit the service members and families at MacDill Air Force Base, including pay raises and critical improvements to on-base housing, health care and childcare. As Co-Chair of the Special Forces Caucus, I am also gratified that Congress will invest in Special Operations Forces and SOCOM to support service members and their families to retain top talent.

“We owe it to our service members to address the cost of living. That’s why I fought to secure a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members. This well-earned pay raise will provide meaningful relief to service members and their families. Additionally, the NDAA increases the Basic Needs Allowance, helping military families better manage grocery and housing costs.

“Child care is another top priority for military families. The NDAA fully funds child care fee assistance initiatives to eliminate waitlists for eligible families. It also makes needed investments to recruit, train and retain child care personnel to expand the DoD child care workforce.

“Safe, clean housing is essential for service members and their families at MacDill and around the world. The NDAA includes significant investments to accelerate the replacement of mold-laden housing and barracks.

“I am deeply disappointed in Speaker Johnson’s choice to hijack meaningful bipartisan work to inject a highly partisan provision targeting LGBTQ+ children. His decision to turn this defense bill into a vehicle for extremist culture wars breaks decades of traditionally bipartisan work for our nation’s men and women in uniform.

“I am proud of the bipartisan efforts that led to substantial pay increases for service members. This bill also makes crucial improvements in areas such as housing, health care, childcare, and spousal support for both service members and their families. I'm proud that Democrats successfully opposed numerous detrimental measures targeting DEI programs, the LGBTQ+ community and reproductive rights. Achieving these results required significant bipartisan compromise. "

Supporting Military Service Members and their Families:

1. 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members
2. 4.5% pay raise for all other service members
3. Increase in the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA)
4. Increased investments in child development centers
5. Increased investments in child care for military families

Military Housing:

1. $177 million towards military construction design funds to accelerate the replacement of poor and failing unaccompanied housing and barracks.
2. Provides funds to keep DoD facilities in good working order and reduce the maintenance backlog
3. Accelerates the replacement of poor and failing unaccompanied housing and barracks
4. Requires the creation of a digital maintenance system to allow residents in unaccompanied housing to submit work orders

Health Care:

1. Eliminates copays for eligible TRICARE beneficiaries for contraceptives
2. Provides tele-mental health care services to service members and their dependents
3. Improves and expands care for certain service-related injuries

Supporting Military Service Members and their Families

• Over $176 million for the development of new childcare centers
• Over $110 million for construction of new schools for children of servicemembers

Energy and Environment:

• $674 million for energy conservation and resiliency projects
• $75 million for environmental cleanup of remaining Base Realignment and Closure Site Act sites

The FY2025 NDAA Conference Report passed by a margin of 281-140 in the House. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Rep. Castor is a member of the powerful U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and previously served on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and as Chair of the former U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Her district includes MacDill Air Force Base and is home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), two of the Armed Forces’ most important military commands.  MacDill Air Force Base’s 6th Air Refueling Wing is the centerpiece of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Vigilance, Global Reach, Global Power mission with its essential functions of aerial refueling.  The base’s mission is vital to keeping America safe and ready for any contingencies we may face as a nation.