[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 118 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ENACTING LARGEST INCREASE TO SERVICEMEMBER COMPENSATION IN OVER 20 
                                 YEARS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Obernolte) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, this week, the House will be debating a 
critically important piece of legislation, the Fiscal Year 2024 
National Defense Authorization Act.
  The bill that we are considering this week provides a much-needed 5.2 
percent increase in compensation to our servicemen and -women. This is 
of critical importance because we are one of the few countries in the 
world that believes in an all-volunteer military force, and the only 
way that we are able to attract the best and the brightest into our 
military is if we pay competitive wages.
  This bill will enact the largest increase to servicemember 
compensation in over 20 years. That is a very meaningful gesture in 
improving the retention and recruitment of quality men and women into 
our military.
  Madam Speaker, I also thank the House Armed Services Committee for 
including my amendment to perform studies to direct more resources to 
remote and isolated military bases like the five that exist in my 
district.
  Civilian contractor services are critical for providing the services 
that make life bearable on bases like the ones that I represent. This 
study will be a meaningful improvement in the quality of lives of the 
servicemen and -women who serve in my district.
  I also urge adoption of an amendment that I have offered to increase 
permitting flexibility for the Marine Corps' Twentynine Palms Air 
Ground Combat Center for the permitting of a joint exercise that allows 
the annual King of the Hammers event to take place in my district.
  This is one of the largest off-road racing events in the world. It is 
beloved by residents of my district and Marines alike. It brings over 
80,000 people annually to the Johnson Valley in my district. It is a 
major economic driver.
  We want to continue to see this event take place in the future as a 
joint exercise between the King of the Hammers event and the Marine 
Corps. This amendment will make that possible, and I urge its adoption.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the entire NDAA this year. 
This will make some meaningful improvements in the quality of life for 
our military men and women. It allocates an additional $15 million to 
the U.S. Northern Command to improve drug interdiction like the scourge 
of fentanyl that has been affecting my district.
  Madam Speaker, this is a good thing for our national security and for 
the men and women in uniform who serve our country. I urge its adoption 
in Congress this week.

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