5 Key Highlights From The House Armed Services Committee's NDAA Markup
- A major new directive: The committee's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a mandate to reinstate thousands of troops who were separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, with full back pay and benefits.
- Tech competition focus: A new "China Strategy" division would be created within the Pentagon to streamline efforts to counter Beijing's military modernization, specifically allocating $1.5 billion for advanced microchip production.
- Pay raise and housing: Service members would see a historic 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops (E-1 to E-4), alongside a full ban on privatized military housing fee increases for the next fiscal year.
- Climate and energy shift: In a surprising bipartisan move, the committee approved provisions requiring the Pentagon to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity for all continental U.S. bases by 2030, with a study on tactical vehicle electrification.
- Drone and space oversight: The markup closes a loophole allowing foreign-linked drones to be used near military airspace, and introduces new reporting rules for commercial spy satellite imagery sales to adversary nations.