false

Press Releases

Boozman Votes to Strengthen National Defense

Aims to Deter China Through Strategic Partnership with Singapore and Critical Fort Smith Mission

Dec 15 2021

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) voted to support the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This critical legislation includes defense investments in Arkansas and ensures servicemembers and their families have the tools, resources and training to combat threats to our national security. 

“This bill prioritizes our nation’s defense and our commitment to servicemembers and their families. Increasing defense spending above the president’s request will ensure our military maintains the readiness levels achieved under President Trump, modernize the military to preserve our advantage over our adversaries and provide the resources required to give our servicemembers and their families the quality of life they deserve. I’m also pleased the final version of this billprotects servicemembers’ Second Amendment rights and does not force women to sign up for the draft, in addition to investing in Arkansas’s strong defense industries,” Boozman said.

Boozman championed a number of provisions in the crucial legislation, including: 

  • Highlighting the importance of and reinforcing the relationship between Singapore and the U.S. as major security cooperation partners through combined military training exercises and stationing at Fort Smith. This relationship is critical to deter China and help protect our allies across the Pacific. 
  • Investments in Arkansas-based defense facilities that support the warfighter, jobs and local economies in Arkansas that make significant contributions to our national security.
  • Prioritizes care for servicemembers who have deployed in defense of our nation by requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to report breast cancer rates of servicemembers deployed over the past 10 years and directs the DoD to make recommendations to improve mammogram screening services in order to identify breast cancer in servicemembers earlier. Additionally, Boozman’s measure requires the DoD to assess its capabilities to conduct 3D mammograms at its facilities.
  • Ensuring military chaplains who died while serving our country are memorialized at Arlington National Cemeteryand their names are placed on three different chaplain memorials for proper recognition. This provision is based on the Boozman-backed Chaplains Memorial Preservation Act
  • Honors and recognizes the sacrifice and service of post 9/11 veterans who fought in the Global War on Terror over the past 20 years by authorizing the Global War on Terror Memorial to be built on the National Mall.