WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below statement after voting for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bipartisan NDAA passed the House by a final vote of 281 to 140 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“I supported the NDAA because it improves the quality of life for servicemembers, veterans and military families in the Pacific Northwest and around the world,” said Larsen, who served for 22 years on the Armed Services Committee (2001-2023). “This bipartisan bill gives servicemembers a raise, delivers Impact Aid to school districts that serve military communities, enables wounded servicemembers to start a family, strengthens national security and the NATO alliance, and educates servicemembers on artificial intelligence.

“There was a specific provision in the final bill that limits gender affirming care for military families. I oppose this provision, and I will work to change it.”

Several of Larsen’s priorities were included in the House-passed version of the NDAA:

Supporting Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Families

• A Raise for Servicemembers – The NDAA included a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers.

• Impact Aid for WA-02 School Districts – The NDAA included a total of $70 million in Department of Defense (DoD) Supplemental Impact Aid payments to school districts that serve military-connected students, including Oak Harbor School District.

• Enabling Wounded Servicemembers and Veterans to Start a Family – Larsen has met with servicemembers and veterans who struggle with having children due to medical complications because of their service. Larsen supported a provision to establish a pilot initiative to cryopreserve gametes, which will enable servicemembers to start a family should a dramatic injury occur.

Boosting Servicemembers’ Education

• AI Education for Servicemembers – Larsen is focused on ensuring servicemembers have expertise in emerging technology and have a basic understanding of artificial intelligence (AI). Larsen authored provisions in the NDAA to require the DoD to establish a foundational AI course and to require all branches of the Armed Forces to participate in the DoD’s Digital On-Demand education initiative.

Strengthening U.S. Involvement in NATO

• U.S. Involvement in NATO Innovation Fund – As a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Larsen is a champion of U.S. involvement in the alliance. The NDAA includes Larsen’s provision that authorizes the U.S. to participate in and contribute up to $200 million over five years to the NATO Innovation Fund, which plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration across the alliance to strengthen NATO defense and security and enhance resilience against strategic competitors.

Investing in Pacific Northwest Navy Bases

• Homeporting Frigates at Naval Station Everett – Larsen has long supported efforts to homeport more Navy and Coast Guard vessels at Naval Station Everett. Larsen included language in the NDAA in support of the Navy’s commitment to homeport 12 Constellation-class frigates and crew at Everett, which is part of the Navy’s broader mission of keeping the country safe and investing in Indo-Pacific security.

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