Luján Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):  

“Earlier this year, the Senate made real progress on strengthening Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) when Democrats and Republicans passed my legislation as part of the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act. However, at the eleventh hour, Republican Leadership blocked its inclusion in the final bill. This is an injustice to thousands upon thousands of individuals in New Mexico and across America who have sacrificed for our national security. 

“While I do support many components of the NDAA, I am disappointed that RECA was excluded from the final bill due to Republican backroom dealing. I have been pushing for well over a decade to strengthen the RECA program for New Mexico uranium mine workers and Downwinders. This is a bipartisan issue that has a bipartisan solution, and I remain committed to working with this bipartisan coalition to keep RECA moving forward. I will never stop fighting for justice.

“That said, I am glad that this NDAA includes much-needed pay raises for our men and women in uniform, strong investments in our National Laboratories, authorizes military construction at New Mexico’s military installations, and my provisions to support New Mexico veterans.” 

Senator Luján secured the following provisions in the NDAA: 

New Mexico Veterans:

• Similar to legislation introduced earlier this year, this amendment repeals a 1999 provision that allowed for the use of flat gravestones at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and studies the cost of replacing flat markers with uprights;
• Legislation that recognizes the mission of the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV) with a congressional charter, ensuring Native American veterans receive proper benefits and resources.

National Laboratories:

• $276 million for environmental cleanup efforts at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL);
• $1.76 billion for LANL’s ongoing research and development programs. The funding supports personnel, equipment, and other activities at LANL; 
• $24.1 billion funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), including Sandia National Laboratories’ funding which supports and sustains its system integration, engineering, and science programs.

The NDAA also includes the following provisions:

• A 5.2% pay raise for both military servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce;
• Highlights the National Defense Strategy priorities related to countering China, supporting Taiwan, and increasing capabilities in the Pacific region;
• Fully funds and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through fiscal year 2027 and streamlines the acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions for multiyear procurement contracts.