Representative Ruben Gallego, a longstanding member of the House Armed Services Committee, marked a final milestone in his congressional military oversight role with his last vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025. Investing in a range of national security initiatives, the legislation outlined key benefits for military personnel and strategic improvements across various infrastructures.
In a significant move for junior service members, the NDAA proposes a 14.5% pay raise while offering a 4.5% increase for their senior counterparts, alongside the elimination of copays for TRICARE beneficiaries on contraceptives. As Gallego steps away from this chapter of his legislative duties, his focus on safeguarding Arizonans achieves a noteworthy mention, "This legislation includes a much-deserved pay raise for our junior enlisted service members, invests in service member quality of life, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and provides the resources and authorities needed to counter our adversaries," Gallego shared in a Rep. Ruben Gallego website.
Gallego's contributions to the NDAA encompass a range of provisions specifically designed to enhance the safety and operational capabilities within his home state of Arizona. Notably, an authorization of $30 million goes towards U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunnel Defense Cooperation, a strategy aimed at stymying cartel smugglers operating along the southern border. Additional funding was allocated for upgrades to Air Force combat training range infrastructure, a component that the defense sector considers vital for maintaining rigorous training standards.
The NDAA also includes directives that consider the broader scope of service member support and international security. An instruction from the act requires the Comptroller General to evaluate military tuition assistance program awareness, and the Secretary of Defense to appraise credentialing assistance efforts. On the international front, the NDAA mandates briefings on defense cooperation with the Baltic states, and, evaluates the collaborative dynamics among rival nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. These reviews aim to inform Congress on how best to approach these complex and evolving geopolitical relationships.
Gallego, who has established himself as the highest-ranking Latino in the committee's history over a decade of service, leaves behind a legacy of bipartisan engagement aimed at bolstering national defense and supporting the welfare of service members from Arizona and across the nation. The full summary of the FY 2025 NDAA illustrates a comprehensive approach to defense, one where the tactical meets the practical in the mission to secure America's military readiness and welfare.
