Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined 84 other senators in passing the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The $895 billion legislation includes 28 provisions authored by Senator Sullivan and authorizes over $723 million for military construction projects in Alaska.

Senator Sullivan emphasized the importance of the NDAA, stating, "The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important bills of the entire year—setting the defense policies and spending levels needed to secure our nation during a very dangerous time, and taking care of our military men and women, and their families." He highlighted a significant 14.5 percent pay raise for service members as a key element of the bill.

The NDAA also addresses issues such as shipbuilding crises and bureaucratic hurdles in ship design. It aims to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region while increasing positions available to the National Guard nationwide. This move avoids potential cuts and allows Alaska’s Air National Guardsmen to continue their missions.

Sullivan expressed disappointment with some aspects of how Democratic leaders handled the legislation. He noted that "Senator Schumer punted consideration of the NDAA until the very end of the year," preventing debate on amendments. Additionally, he criticized House Democrats for removing provisions aimed at strengthening U.S. positions against China.

In August, an indefinite exemption was announced for Alaska's Air National Guard from an initiative that could have impacted its homeland defense mission negatively. Senators Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski included a provision adding 649 new Active Guard Reserve Authorizations to address position gaps.

The FY 2025 NDAA passed through both houses and awaits presidential approval to become law.