HYDE-SMITH BACKS SENATE PASSAGE OF DEFENSE POLICY MEASURE
Supports Bill Setting Policy & Authorizing Appropriations for Defense Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) tonight voted for Senate passage of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual legislation to set policies and authorize appropriations for U.S. Department of Defense programs and activities.
“We live in dangerous times, and this Senate bill represents a clear departure from the weak tea President Biden served up in his national security budget request. The authorizations and policy decisions in this bill will help give our armed forces the solid foundation they need to meet all present and future challenges successfully,” Hyde-Smith said.
The Senate measure (S.2226), passed 86-11, departs from President Biden’s budget request by authorizing higher levels of support for national security needs as the United States faces rising challenges from rivals like China and the threat of Russia’s war with Ukraine threatening global stability.
During the NDAA debate, the Senate accepted a Hyde-Smith amendment that follows her SERVE Act, which amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure that students called to serve in domestic, short-term National Guard and Reserve mobilizations are able to return to their studies.
In a separate action, Hyde-Smith on Thursday voted with her colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to approve the FY2024 Defense Appropriations Bill. This funding bill provides $831 billion, $5.1 billion over the President’s budget request, to meet U.S. national security needs. The appropriations bill also directs funding to support defense work carried out in Mississippi.
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