TOPEKA — U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran voted with a bipartisan majority for the Senate’s version of the annual defense bill that included a 5.2% raise for servicemembers, sustained support for Ukraine’s war with Russia and invested in military bases in Kansas.
The Senate measure approved Thursday on a vote of 86-11 would establish an $886 billion ceiling on Pentagon spending in the upcoming fiscal year.
It didn’t include policy provisions related to diversity, equity, transgender health and abortion contained in the U.S. House’s edition of the National Defense Authorization Act adopted 219-210 with Kansas Republican Reps. Jake LaTurner, Ron Estes and Tracey Mann in favor and Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids opposed.
“Passing NDAA is one of Congress’ most important tasks to make certain our military is equipped and ready to defend the nation,” said Moran, a Kansas Republican. “This year’s legislation includes critical investments for our nation’s weapons stockpile and cutting-edge cybersecurity technology. Just as importantly, NDAA includes a pay raise to our all-volunteer force and resources to help improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families.”
Moran said the package had $105 million for construction of an aircraft maintenance hanger at Fort Riley in Junction City as well as $15.6 million for power generation infrastructure and $1.6 million for planning and design of a replacement air traffic control tower at the U.S. Army base. In addition, the Senate’s version contained $5.9 million for development of a microgrid and backup power generator at Forbes Field in Topeka.
The bill featured a provision allowing surviving military spouses to retain certain benefits upon remarriage at any age. It also required a study of possible impact of dropping a rule requiring servicemembers to obtain a referral from a primary care doctor to seek community-based mental health care.
Marshall, the state’s other Republican senator, said he supported the Senate legislation because it raised servicemembers’ pay and increased funding for “cutting-edge military technology to improve our lethality.”
He also pointed the Senate bill targeted financial assets of Mexican and Chinese companies linked to manufacturing and distributing fentanyl.
“Make no mistake, this bill is not perfect and I am not thrilled with the nearly $900 billion price tag given the repeated failure in spending oversight at the defense department,” Marshall said. “I hope we can resolve the deficiencies in the Senate bill with the Republican-controlled House version and make meaningful improvements to this legislation.”
Marshall denounced China’s role in purchasing U.S. farmland, stealing intellectual property, “infiltrating our schools” as well as contributing to the fentanyl epidemic.
House and Senate negotiators are responsible for negotiating a compromise defense policy and spending bill capable of clearing both chambers and being signed by President Joe Biden.
