Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. issued the following statement in response to the passage of H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025:
"I applaud the House for passing the FY25 Department of Defense Appropriations package, ensuring our military is well-equipped to prioritize defending our national security," said Congressman Greg Murphy. "We are living in a less secure world than we were four years ago, with belligerents taking action to undermine the United States and our allies. This defense package responsibly allocates taxpayer dollars to counter our adversaries, invest in innovation to strengthen our military, support our servicemembers and their families, and uphold democratic values both at home and abroad." "As the proud representative of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River, delivering for our troops is an exceedingly high priority for me. Our men and women in uniform risk their lives to keep us safe and preserve our freedom. We must give them the tools, resources, and proper care they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability." The FY25 DoD Appropriations Act funds a 4.5% pay raise for our troops, as well as an additional 15% pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers, ensures the delivery of combat-ready forces to deter war and ensure national security, and eliminates funding for President Biden’s woke social agendas and initiatives that have no place in our military. Provides $833.05 billion in discretionary funding, $8.57 billion (1%) above the FY24 enacted level - Rejects $18 billion in unjustified and unnecessary items included in the President’s Budget Request and redirects those resources to programs and activities that counter our adversaries, foster innovation, enhance DoD’s role in combating fentanyl, and support servicemembers and their families.
Prioritizes the fight against China - Allocates $200 million for Taiwan's international security cooperation programs and prioritizes defense articles and services to Taiwan.
- Prevents the early retirement of three ships and rejects certain air force divestment plans.
- Increases investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft like the F-35 and Next Generation Air Dominance.
Promotes innovation and modernizes our military - Invests in next-generation fighter aircraft, helicopters, tactical combat vehicles, and submarines.
- Supports the modernization of the nuclear triad: the B-21 Raider, the Columbia Class Submarine, and Sentinel.
- Allocates over $1.3 billion for the Defense Innovation Unit and select Defense-Wide innovation efforts to encourage nontraditional sources, including small and medium-sized businesses, to work with the Department.
Counters the flow of illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids - Allocates $1.14 billion for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities, $242 million above the President’s Budget Request.
- Increases funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
- Transfers Mexico from U.S. Northern Command to U.S. Southern Command for better prioritization and coordination across efforts.
Supports Israel - Provides $500 million for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, to include Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow missile defense systems.
- Requires the delivery of defense articles and defense services from the United States to Israel, including any articles withheld from delivery to be delivered within 15 days.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to obligate any remaining unobligated balances for assistance for Israel within 30 days.
- Prohibits funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Eliminates woke ideology at the Pentagon. - Prohibits funds to House illegal immigrants on military installations.
- Prohibits funding for DEI offices and the implementation of the Biden Administration’s DEI executive orders, as well as defunds the position of Deputy Inspector General for Diversity and Inclusion and Extremism in the Military and the position of Chief Diversity Officer.
- Prohibits the use of funds to perform medical procedures that attempt to change an individual’s biological gender.
- Prohibits events on military installations or as part of recruiting programs that bring discredit upon the military, such as a drag queen story hour for children or the use of drag queens as military recruiters.
- Prohibits the promotion or advancement of CRT.
- Prohibits funding for the President’s climate change executive orders and regulations.
- Prohibits paid leave and travel or related expenses of a servicemember or their dependents to obtain an abortion or abortion-related services.
- Prohibits contracts with NewsGuard Technologies Inc. which is known to target conservative news outlets.
- Prevents COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates.
Cosponsored Amendments Included in Legislation - #67 - Increases funding for medical and health programs at the Department of Defense by $1,000,000 to express the intent that the TRICARE reimbursement rate for pharmacies should be increased.
- #68 - Increases funding for Tricare by $1,000,000 to express the intent that the Tricare reimbursement rate should be increased for mental health providers.
- #309 - Increases Air Force O&M by $5 million to support an ROTC program authorized by Section 519 of the FY21 NDAA (P.L. 116-283) to address persistent pilot shortages by providing flight training reimbursements at HBCUs. Decreases O&M, Defense-wide by $5 million.
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