SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has expressed her support for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA FY25), which recently passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 85-14. The act authorizes $923.3 billion for national defense, including $878.4 billion allocated to the Department of Defense and $33.4 billion to national security programs within the Department of Energy.

The legislation includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent increase for all other service members. It also features several provisions specific to Alaska, such as an increase in Active Guard Reserve Authorizations for the National Guard Bureau, addressing concerns over potential job losses within the Alaska Air National Guard.

Senator Murkowski stated, “The passage of this year’s NDAA will bring a greater sense of security to our Alaska Guardsmen whose jobs were put at risk by the Air National Guard.” She emphasized that protections have been secured in statute against bureaucratic leveling initiatives that threatened these positions.

In addition to pay raises, the NDAA provides increased resources such as Basic Needs Allowance adjustments, mental health support, and improved access to affordable childcare for service members. Murkowski highlighted these benefits as vital resources for those serving in uniform.

Military construction investments in Alaska are also part of the NDAA FY25, with more than $420 million authorized for projects across various bases including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright. These projects aim to enhance training facilities and improve existing infrastructure.

The legislation further addresses national defense by allowing deployment of National Guard troops to assist Border Patrol at the southwest border and allocating funds to combat narcotics trafficking. It bans citizens from certain countries from accessing U.S. nuclear facilities and prohibits DoD contracts with companies employing lobbyists for Chinese military enterprises.

Moreover, it supports international defense efforts with funding for U.S.-Israel collaborative research and Taiwan's defense reform through initiatives like the Taiwan Deterrence Initiative.

Senator Murkowski also backs responsible spending measures within the NDAA, requiring annual independent audits of all DoD components, with penalties imposed on those failing to comply.