U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is showcasing his work on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“The Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 includes critical Rubio-led provisions that will benefit Florida and bolster our national defense,” Rubio’s office noted.
“This year’s defense authorization bill helps ensure that our military is focused on protecting American citizens and our economy from the growing threat of China. I worked with my colleagues to pass a strong bill that includes important provisions that benefit Florida and protect our nation,” said Rubio.
In addition to the annual Intelligence Authorization Act, the annual defense bill includes the following provisions led by Rubio:
Deterring Chinese Preemptive Strikes Act. Directs the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to harden U.S. facilities in the Indo-Pacific to deter a preemptive strike against U.S. forces and assets in the region by China ahead of an invasion of Taiwan.
Enhancing Spaceport Operations Act. Supports U.S. Space Force and commercial space launch providers, ensuring that the U.S. remains competitive with the threats from China and Russia.
No Federal Funding for CCP SPIES Act. Strikes a waiver program allowing institutes of higher education to host Confucius Institutes.
Rachael Booth Act. Fixes a gap in the way current law treats dependents of service members who have suffered from domestic abuse.
International Port Security Enforcement Act. Ensures that ports controlled by State Sponsors of
Terrorism and Terrorist Organizations are automatically deemed as not having effective antiterrorism measures, through the International Port Security Program. Ensures that the U.S. Coast Guard does not share our nation’s port security protocols with terrorists or terrorist
sponsors.
Requirement for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the DoD’s disaster resilience.
Expansion of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program in the Indo-Pacific to include new foreign partners.
Direction for the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to analyze incidents of suspected or confirmed intrusions by unmanned underwater vehicles on or near U.S. military installations.
The FY24 NDAA also includes the following provisions that directly impact Florida:
Tyndall Air Force Base: $252 million for natural disaster recovery plus $17 million for a fire station originally authorized in FY18.
MacDill Air Force Base: $131 million for maintenance improvements supporting the KC-46A.
Patrick Space Force Base: $42 million for various projects, including $15 million for Commercial Vehicle Inspection, $15 million to complete a communications center, and $12 million for final denial barriers at the South Gate.
Camp Blanding: $11 million for a multipurpose machine gun range.
NAS Whiting Field: $50 million for a helicopter training hangar.
Army Reserve Center in Perrine, FL: $3 million for construction.
Recognition of the strategic importance of Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB) and encouragement for the Air Force to identify additional mission requirements for HARB.
Encouragement for the Air Force to include construction funds in FY25 for the construction of Childcare Development Centers, such as for families stationed at Camp Bull Simons.
Direction for the Secretary of the Navy to submit a 10-year plan for ship homeporting that would reflect proposed Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) retirements, and how the Navy’s plan to retire seven LCSs over the next three years will ensure industry stability for impacted communities, such as Mayport.
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