Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senator John Thune has urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to prioritize the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), emphasizing its importance for national security and military readiness. Thune highlighted the urgency of passing the NDAA, noting that it has been five months since the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the fiscal year 2025 bill.

Thune stated, "Mr. President, I shouldn’t need to tell anyone that the National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important bills we consider each year." He expressed concern over delays in bringing the NDAA to a vote, particularly given current global security challenges.

Citing a report from the bipartisan Commission on the National Defense Strategy, Thune noted: “The Commission finds that the U.S. military lacks both the capabilities and the capacity required to be confident it can deter and prevail in combat.” He warned that China is outpacing U.S. military advancements and shifting power dynamics in its favor.

Thune also referenced findings from another report: “Today the United States is on the cusp of having not one, but two nuclear peer adversaries, each with ambitions to change the international status quo, by force, if necessary.”

Highlighting recent global developments, Thune mentioned China's unveiling of new military technologies and Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine. He also pointed to instability in the Middle East involving Hamas and Iran-backed proxies.

Thune criticized Schumer for prioritizing other legislative matters over defense spending bills this year but assured his colleagues that under Republican leadership in future sessions, national defense would remain a top priority.

“Under Republican governance,” he said, “providing for our nation’s defense and supporting our men and women in uniform will not only continue to be one of Congress’ most important obligations, it will be treated as such.”