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WASHINGTON — House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul released the following statement on the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation passed the House with broad bipartisan support.

“America’s adversaries are on the march. Around the world, we continue to see the fallout of the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous foreign policy agenda, which has empowered tyrants and terrorist groups instead of projecting peace through strength. This year’s NDAA implements commonsense — and necessary — measures to promote U.S. national security, provide pay increases to our veterans, and support our partners and allies around the world while reversing the damaging policies implemented by woke bureaucrats. I am proud to support this bill and ensure our military, servicemembers, and nation are prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.” — Chairman McCaul

This year’s NDAA included H.R. 6727, a bill Chairman McCaul introduced with Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) to promote public-private conservation efforts and undercut entities that profit from illicit poaching, like Russia and the Chinese Communist Party. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) led the bill in the Senate.

“I’m very pleased the NDAA included my historic, bipartisan legislation promoting public-private partnerships to strengthen global conservation efforts and counter the CCP’s malign influence. As chairman, I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world and see the importance of wildlife conservation firsthand. I’ve witnessed China and various international criminal organizations devastate communities for their own gain, and this bill has the power to undercut malign actors who profit from illicit wildlife trafficking. Conservation efforts have a long history of bipartisan support dating back to Teddy Roosevelt, and I’m glad to see this tradition continue. This foundation is more than just a way to leverage the power of private contributions – it is a diplomatic investment in the U.S. foreign policy toolkit that none of our adversaries can replicate.” — Chairman McCaul

The bill also included language from Chairman McCaul to ensure the State Department is better organized for crises like the Afghanistan withdrawal by designating a senior official to lead international crises for the department, including non-combatant evacuation operations, and by requiring consistent tabletop exercises in consultation with the Department of Defense. It also includes language from Rep. Warren Davidson’s (R-Ohio) bill, H.R. 4517, bill, H.R. 4517, which requires the State Department to perform a feasibility study regarding reimbursement of private rescue groups who evacuated Americans from Afghanistan.

“My investigation into the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal revealed the Biden-Harris administration had the information and opportunity to take necessary steps to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government, so we could safely evacuate U.S. personnel, Americans, and our loyal Afghan allies. At each step of the way, however, this administration picked optics over security. I am thankful Congress included these critical provisions in the NDAA to ensure our government has the tools it needs to prevent a similar catastrophe. These provisions seek to mitigate the administration’s failure to plan for the inevitable NEO and recognize the tireless efforts of volunteer organizations across the U.S. to bring evacuees to safety. The organizations worked at great expense to themselves – emotionally and financially – and the U.S. government owes them gratitude for their contributions.” — Chairman McCaul

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