NDIA statement on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

ARLINGTON, VA -- The National Defense Industrial Association issues the following statement on the Dec. 15 passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022:

NDIA applauds Congress for its overwhelming support in passing the NDAA. With tallies of 363-70 in the House and 89-10 in the Senate, the bipartisan votes demonstrate that national defense and support for our service members remain unifying values.

This bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation marks more than six decades of Congress approving the authorization for critical military policies and resources to protect our nation. We recognize the impacts of COVID-19 and other legislative matters on getting this fundamental legislation passed in a timely manner and support the expedited signing of the bill into law.

This year’s NDAA includes many priorities aimed at the health and readiness of the defense industrial base ultimately serving our warfighters:

• It directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the effects of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification framework on small-business concerns.
• It authorizes pilot programs to transition Small-Business Innovation Research programs and Small-Business Technology Transfer programs more effectively into Phase III through selection of Entrepreneurial Innovation Projects.
• It approves additional funding for continued use of Small Business Innovation Research to develop scalable, platform-agnostic data-storage system solutions to maximize existing and future data streams in coordination with the needs of U.S. Special Operations Command.

These provisions support the Defense Department’s continued modernization efforts and, in concert with our highly skilled industrial base, provide the necessary resources for a strong national defense.

NDIA is disappointed that the expedited nature of the legislation meant the Just In Case Act was left out of the final text. Building on lessons learned during the COVID crisis, that act would have authorized the Secretary of Defense to ensure the essential DIB workforce in the case of future national emergencies.

NDIA looks forward to the FY22 NDAA becoming law and primary legislative attention turning to the imperative for a full-year appropriations for our nation’s defense.