Southeast Allegheny News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 22, Navy and Iraq War veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, out of the House Armed Services Committee. The large bipartisan bill to fund the Department of Defense (DoD) includes Rep. Deluzio’s amendment to publicly track companies that refuse to provide certified cost and pricing data. This amendment to push back against price-gouging and several of Deluzio’s other amendments—to grow domestic manufacturing, improve transportation safety, and fight back against forever chemicals in DoD facilities—were included in the passed version of the NDAA and now head to the House floor for a vote. 

“We face tremendous strategic challenges across the globe, including the war in Ukraine and competition with Communist China, both of which are stressing the heavily consolidated defense industrial base,” said Rep. Deluzio. “This year’s NDAA aims to confront these issues and more, recognizing that we can no longer neglect this country’s manufacturing capacity and competitiveness. We need greater accountability, transparency, and competition in government contracting to strengthen our defense industrial base and to protect public money.” 

Specifically, Rep. Deluzio’s amendment requires the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to produce a report that identifies contractors that have denied multiple requests for submission of uncertified cost of pricing data but nevertheless received an award. It also identifies products that should undergo should-cost analysis and any parties who delay providing such data beyond 200 days. 

Recognizing the importance of ensuring a robust supply chain for materials that are used to manufacture components for defense weapons systems in places like Western Pennsylvania, Rep. Deluzio secured amendments to:  

• Increase funding for additive manufacturing in the DoD Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program (IBAS), and  
• Require a report by September 30, 2024, on the projected demand for metal powder and metal wire feedstock for defense-related additive and non-additive manufacturing applications. 

Rep. Deluzio’s other amendments that passed out of committee as a part of the NDAA would: 

• Provide the National Guard and Air National Guard facilities—such as the 171st Air Refueling Wing, which is one of the worst PFAS-contaminated bases in PA—access to funds used for environmental restoration efforts including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup. 
• Require a report identifying rail and other transportation network vulnerabilities and to provide recommendations for interagency coordination, programs or statutory changes to improve and maintain such strategic railways, highways, and seaports associated with national defense.  

This year’s NDAA also includes many important provisions to better support military families, strengthen the DoD civilian workforce, institute a 5.2% pay raise for service members, and provide further support for Ukraine’s Security Assistance Initiative alongside increased accountability measures for funds sent to Ukraine and to other foreign nations. 

“Looking abroad, we should not shy away from supporting the Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression,” said Rep. Deluzio. “With respect to the folks who proudly wear the uniform, this year’s NDAA supports our service members and military families by increasing pay and housing allowances, supporting behavioral health and suicide prevention, and replacing and upgrading poor and failing service member facilities and housing.” 

A full summary of the FY24 NDAA as prepared by committee staff can be found here.

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Original source can be found here.