This week, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2025. This annual bill outlines the budget, expenditures, and policies for the U.S. Department of Defense. It significantly impacts troops by ensuring they receive necessary resources, training, and support to maintain military readiness. The NDAA also emphasizes national security by funding defense programs, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and supporting intelligence operations to address emerging threats and safeguard the nation's interests.

This year’s NDAA contained key policy wins, such as supporting U.S. troops, empowering the National Guard to address issues at the southern border, and providing American forces with innovative technologies. Here are six amendments that I offered, the first two were adopted and passed in the final bill: 

1. Establishing a permanent hiring freeze for divisive DEI jobs in the Department.
2. Requiring reporting from the Defense Department to Congress on any instances of foreign actors infiltrating or attempting to infiltrate a military installation, facility, or real property under the jurisdiction of the Department.
3. Prohibiting Service Academies from using funds authorized in the bill to create or operate offices that practice or promote divisive DEI policies. 
4. Requiring the Secretary of Defense to report key components used by the Department of Defense which are produced in foreign countries. This report will aim to identify and detail which critical parts of military equipment and supplies are not made domestically.
5. Ensuring personnel decisions and promotions are based solely on individual merit or demonstrated performance. 
6. Providing recognition to former employees of Air America, which was a government-owned company that performed secret missions in Vietnam between 1950 and 1976. Click here to read more about this covert operation, my effort to recognize these patriots, and local Air American Neil Hansen of Oshkosh.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a crucial piece of legislation, and I was proud to vote in favor of this bill to give our troops a raise and bolster national security.

Click on video below to watch my remarks on the first of my amendments mentioned above.

This week, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, I held a hearing titled "Addressing Oversight and Safety Concerns in the Department of Defense’s V-22 Osprey Program". This hearing highlighted the frequency of Osprey crashes, the risk they present to service members, and why they are consistently grounded. 

The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover, and landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. While this is a revolutionary step forward in terms of fixed-wing flight, the complications associated with keeping such an advanced aircraft flying have led to deadly results. 

Since 2000, a total of 64 service members have lost their lives due to an Osprey crash, and another 93 service members have been injured. This has led to service members giving the Osprey the nickname "Widow Maker". To make matters worse, all casualties involving the aircraft have happened during training exercises and were not a result of enemy fire. 

Despite the number of casualties and frequency of crashes, there has still not been an adequate response from the Department of Defense (Department), which is why Congress is stepping in to hold them accountable. The Oversight Committee has requested for the safety investigations to be made available for review, but the Department has refused, which is why this hearing was necessary. 

While the hearing is over, I am not finished investigating the Osprey program and working to hold the Department accountable. Congress has a right to view the safety investigations and the Department has an obligation to comply with congressional oversight. I will be sure to keep you posted as I continue to work on this issue. 

I would also like to take a moment to recognize the Gold Star families in attendance at the hearing. Their presence helps to remind us of the real-life impact that these crashes have had. While their stories are heartbreaking, I appreciated speaking with them after the hearing and sharing memories of loved ones. 

Following the hearing, I had the chance to sit down with Leland Vittert on News Nation to talk about this issue and the next steps for Congress. To watch the interview click here.

It was fantastic to celebrate Flag Day in Waubeka last weekend with the National Flag Day Foundation! 

I had a great meeting with Wisconsin representatives from the North American Die Casting Association on Wednesday. We focused on extending vital tax provisions and updating the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act.

It was a pleasure speaking with Wisconsin metalcasters on Wednesday and discussing the negative impacts of the EPA’s stringent PM 2.5 standards on metalcasters and the manufacturing sector as a whole.