Ft Wayne Times

Senator-elect Jim Banks has expressed his support for the recently passed Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a statement, Banks highlighted the legislation's focus on national defense readiness and its provisions aimed at addressing various concerns.

Banks stated, “This year’s NDAA makes important investments in our national defense by refocusing the Pentagon’s mission on ensuring readiness and lethality. I am proud to support the legislation’s historic pay increase for our junior enlisted troops and its prohibition of TRICARE funding child gender transition procedures.”

He also noted that the bill includes measures to counter threats from China. "This bill also includes two of my provisions to address the growing threat of Communist China by restricting DOD-funded research with universities that partner with foreign adversaries and prohibiting DoD contracts with entities that provide semiconductors or chip manufacturing equipment to Huawei."

The NDAA outlines several key provisions:

- A 4.5% pay raise for all service members, including a historic 10% additional raise for junior enlisted servicemembers.

- Prohibitions on TRICARE covering sex change surgeries and hormone treatments for minors.

- A freeze on DEI hiring at the Pentagon.

- Restrictions on DOD funding for university research projects with foreign adversaries.

- Bans on new Chinese drones operating in the U.S.

- Prohibitions on DoD contracts with companies linked to Chinese military interests or those providing semiconductor services to Huawei.

Investments specific to Indiana include requirements for F-16 simulator plans involving the Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, extended authority for constructing a small arms range at Terre Haute's ANG base, and an additional $10 million secured for NSWC Crane's MACH-TB program.

The act also supports Israel by mandating an annual U.S.-Israel counter-tunneling exercise aimed at assisting Israel in its efforts against Hamas.