WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement applauding the Senate’s passage of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“Passing NDAA is one of Congress’ most important tasks to make certain our military is equipped and ready to defend the nation. This year’s legislation includes critical investments for our nation’s weapons stockpile and cutting-edge cybersecurity technology. Just as importantly, NDAA includes a pay raise to our all-volunteer force and resources to help improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. I also worked to include a number of my priorities in NDAA to protect benefits for spouses of fallen servicemembers, invest in Kansas military bases and expand TRICARE services.”

Sen. Moran’s priorities included in the FY2024 NDAA:

• Protecting Benefits for Military Spouses - Allows surviving spouses to retain certain benefits upon remarriage at any age. This provision is part of a more comprehensive bill Sen. Moran introduced – the Love Lives on Act.

• TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit Analysis – Analyzes the impact transitioning to TPharm5 is having on stakeholders, including servicemembers, their dependents and veterans.

• TRICARE Hearing Aids for Dependents of Retirees - Allows the dependents of retired servicemembers to maintain hearing aid coverage through TRICARE Prime.

• New Investments at Fort Riley – Authorizes $105 million for the construction of an Aircraft Maintenance Hanger at Fort Riley, $1.6 million for the planning and design of a new Air Traffic Control Tower, and $15.6 million in funding for the power generation and microgrid funded in FY2023 NDAA.

• Resources for Forbes Field – Authorizes $5.9 million for a microgrid and backup power generator at Forbes Field. 

• Red Hill Long-Term Health Study and Registry – Establishes an exposure registry to address CDC recommendations due to ongoing health impacts and limitations of Department of Defense’s (DoD) tracking system. This provision also requires the DoD to conduct an epidemiological study to assess health outcomes for individuals affected by the Red Hill Incident.

• Military Mental Health Referrals – Currently, servicemembers must obtain a referral through their primary care doctor before seeking care in the community, leading to longer wait times to receive care. This provision requires the DoD to provide a report on how removing the referral requirement impacts servicemembers seeking mental health care.

• Establishes New Rank of National Guard Vice Chief – Elevates the National Guard Vice Chief to a four-star general.

• Supporting Children with Disabilities Around the World - Bolsters U.S. support for children with disabilities, helping support local disabilities rights organizations and families of children with disabilities around the world.
  
  

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