WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following the Senate’s passage of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Senator Rick Scott, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the below statement highlighting this important legislation that secures big wins for Florida’s military families, installations and U.S. national security.

Senator Rick Scott said, “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have fought all year to ensure the Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA includes big wins for Florida’s military interests and that’s exactly what we secured in this bill. We successfully defeated Joe Biden’s radical efforts to cut the military’s budget and secured critical funding for Tyndall Air Force Base – a strategic hub for the future of F-35 based air warfare – to have the necessary resources to continue this crucial mission. With 20 military bases and three unified commands, Florida is proud of its important role in America’s national defense. As threats from our enemies grow more dangerous, now is not the time for appeasement or weak leadership. I will never forget my most important job as U.S. Senator is to protect and serve the families of our nation, and I won’t stop fighting to ensure we properly invest in America’s greatest asset — the men and women of our armed forces.”

BIG WINS FOR FLORIDA MILITARY FAMILIES, INSTALLATIONS AND U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE 2022 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT:

• Provides $777.7 billion in national defense spending – a $25 billion increase over President Biden’s inadequate defense budget proposal
• Funds the continued mission of F-35 squadrons at Tyndall Air Force Base
• Includes more than $170M for military construction projects for Florida bases and more than $130M for key national security projects that help support Florida bases
• Raises the pay for our brave men and women in uniform by 2.7%
• Supports Taiwan and provides a comprehensive report on the status of efforts to build Taiwan’s capacity to defend itself against Communist China
• Requires the Pentagon to update regulations on drone technology that make it easier for American drone makers to compete against Chinese drone manufacturers, like DJI
• Prohibits service members from being dishonorably discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine

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