WASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan today announced that eighteen of his amendments were included in the House-passed FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“These eighteen amendments seek to address the health, safety and security of our active-duty troops and their families as well as improve military readiness and ensure we remain the world’s preeminent fighting force,” said Congressman Buchanan. “I’m humbled to see so many of my proposals pass the House this week with broad bipartisan support and am committed to seeing these enacted into law.”
The eighteen Buchanan provisions include:
- Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to promptly notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about someone transitioning from active-duty service to civilian life with an opioid use disorder to prevent the VA from prescribing opioids to these individuals.
- Instructs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee on expanding and improving of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which aims to help individuals improve their academic and physical fitness prior to basic training.
- Mandates the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of establishing a mentoring program for members of the Armed Forces who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs or founding start-up businesses after their active-duty service.
- Calls on the DOD to continue helping Israel fend off attacks from Hamas by supporting the Iron Dome system.
- Directs the DOD to develop a strategy and education campaign to align programs to help combat obesity within the military.
- Informs DOD that the United States should not be spending more money to house illegal immigrants than we do on housing for America’s military families.
- Instructs the Secretary of Defense to create a strategy to support the transition of military aviation mechanics to commercial aviation mechanics after active-duty service.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress on a plan and strategy to construct a memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the 13 servicemembers who died during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Directs the Secretary of Defense to report on the threat of China’s use of AI in the military, such as rifle-toting robot dogs, and the national security threat posed to the U.S.
- Mandates the Secretary of the Army to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee on the effectiveness of the Optimizing the Human Weapon System Program and include recommendations on actions to improve or expand.
- Requires the Secretary of the Navy to report to Congress on the benefits and feasibility of establishing a training and safety program for operating Assault Amphibious Vehicles.
- Instructs the DOD to conduct a study on the accessibility of mental health care providers and services for members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on military technology and weapons lost to the Taliban during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Mandates the DOD to maintain prescription drop boxes on all military bases to allow for the safe disposal of unused prescription drugs, including opioids.
- Requires the Director of the Defense Health Agency to conduct a study and report to Congress on how the agency can increase access to telehealth services, including how telehealth can better mental health treatment outcomes.
- Calls on the Secretary of Defense to raise the Family Separation Allowance from $250 to $400 per month, as authorized by the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act.
- Instructs the Government Accountability Office to examine ways unmanned vehicles can reduce overall operating costs.
- Calls on the DOD to remain committed to the Philippine’s defense against Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific.
Last year, Buchanan had his 32nd and 33rd bill, the Rachel Booth Act and the DRIVE SAFE Act, signed into law as part of the FY24 NDAA. He has had four initiatives signed by President Bush, six by President Obama and 13 by President Trump. He has also seen ten legislative proposals signed into law by President Biden so far.
Buchanan has been a leading advocate in Congress for reforming current training procedures and improving emergency response capabilities in Congress after his constituent, Army Specialist Panipinto, died when the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was driving overturned during a road-test in 2019 in South Korea.
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