Young Votes for Annual Defense Bill to Address Global Threats, Support Our Military
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) voted for the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will set policy for the Department of Defense (DoD), establish the national security priorities of Congress, and upgrade our nation’s warfighting capabilities. The legislation passed the Senate 85-14.
“The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress considers each year. I am pleased the final bill includes several critical priorities I have worked on to counter the Chinese Communist Party, ensure the U.S. maintains global leadership in emerging biotech, modernize our defense capabilities, and support Indiana’s defense industrial base and workforce,” said Senator Young.
Senator Young worked to secure the following provisions in the Senate-passed NDAA:
Emerging Biotechnology provisions, stemming from Senator Young’s role as chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. Understanding the national security implications of biotechnology has never been more important, which is why the NDAA includes language that requires the DoD to create a roadmap for harnessing the power of the technology and language that will create an artificial intelligence and biotechnology (AIxBio) sandbox to explore how AIxBio can be leveraged to accomplish national security priorities. The bill also includes efforts to identify potential biotech threats and assess how the People’s Republic of China is using the technology. These provisions are critical to ensuring the U.S. maintains leadership in biotech.
Applicant Medical Reimbursement Act to authorize the Department of Defense to reimburse applicants for co-pays up to $100 for visits to civilian medical providers seen as part of the military application process. This legislation will ensure that military applicants who require additional medical screenings are not required to foot unforeseen medical costs associated with military recruitment.
Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) funding to support Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division (NSWC-Crane) in southern Indiana. The advancement of hypersonic weapons systems is a top priority for DoD, and the ability to test them rapidly and affordably is the key to accelerating their development and delivery to our warfighters. The funding authorized will further solidify Crane’s role as the Navy’s Center of Excellence for Hypersonics and its national role in developing and integrating new hypersonic capabilities for both the Navy and DoD as a whole.
Anti-Submarine Warfare Equipment funding to protect our Navy as they are on the forefront of securing vital sea lanes, securing commerce, and reducing threats to the homeland from the navies of China and Russia. Sonobuoys, like those manufactured by Ultra Maritime in Columbia City, Indiana, are a vital tool in detecting and tracking submarine threats from our peer competitors. Senator Young secured an authorization for an additional $25 million to ensure adequate sonobuoy stocks.
AI maritime maneuvering funding to support Trine University and NSWC Crane’s collaborative development of AI-enabled maritime maneuvering and navigation. This appropriation will support STEM education and outreach in Indiana, strengthen resources for the Midwest Defense Corridor, and help train the Hoosier workforce to in AI and advanced manufacturing. Senator Young secured an authorization for an additional $10 million for this program.
Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program money to fund additional already-designated Tech Hubs that have yet to receive funding. Senator Young introduced the Tech Hub concept in the Endless Frontier Act of 2020, which eventually became law as a key pillar in the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in 2022; however, the program has received a fraction of its authorized amount. Senator Young secured up to $500 million in additional Tech Hubs funding that will come from the proceeds of a spectrum auction. Earlier this year, Heartland BioWorks in Indiana was one of the first 12 Tech Hubs to receive funding from the original appropriation.