Senator Mike Rounds, US Senator for South Dakota | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Mike Rounds, US Senator for South Dakota | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and top Republican of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, has issued a statement following the committee’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). This marks the tenth NDAA that Rounds has contributed to as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. At the start of the 118th Congress, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia’s Center for Effective Lawmaking named Rounds as the second most effective Republican on defense issues. The FY25 NDAA now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
“The NDAA is crafted each year to authorize critical funding for our national security, as well as our service members and their families,” said Rounds. “We were successful in securing many wins for South Dakota in this bill, including $282 million in funding necessary to prepare Ellsworth Air Force Base for the bed down of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. I am particularly pleased that this year’s NDAA includes a 4.5 percent pay raise for our men and women in uniform, as well as back pay for our military members whose promotions were impacted by holds in the Senate. We never want our men and women in uniform entering a fair fight; we always want them to have the advantage. The FY25 NDAA keeps the United States ahead of the curve, especially regarding near-peer adversaries such as China and Russia. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this legislation through the Senate and House and signed into law.”
Rounds highlighted several key provisions included in this year's NDAA:
- Full funding for the B-21 Raider program, including over $2.6 billion for procurement.
- Securing $282 million in military construction projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
- Establishing an Air Show Recruitment Pilot Program.
- Directing reports on enhancing B-21 environmental shelters.
- Allowing minor military construction funds to roll over into subsequent fiscal years.
- Including Rounds’ bill S.3553, which provides backpay and updates service records for officers whose promotions were delayed due to Senate holds.
- Requiring DoD reviews on war plans considering cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
- Evaluating cybersecurity products and services protecting employee mobile devices.
- Introducing language to protect AI innovation within DoD.
Additional measures include:
- Strengthening oversight of Defense Community Infrastructure Program.
- Addressing supply chain issues for smokeless gunpowder affecting both military and civilian ammunition supplies.
- Funding high altitude balloons with several reporting requirements.
- Providing funds for cold spray repair technology and cybersecurity initiatives.
The bill also simplifies processes for vetted non-citizens with critical technical skills wishing to join U.S. military services.
Rounds supported various cybersecurity victories within this legislation:
- Requiring briefings on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 implementation.
- Limiting funds use until detailed plans are provided by U.S. Cyber Command.
- Improving DoD network cybersecurity through assessments.
Other defense victories noted by Rounds include:
- Authorizing a national defense topline increase of $25 billion.
- Supporting pay raises for military members and DoD civilian employees.
- Requiring multi-year plans supporting Taiwan activities.
The FY25 NDAA aims to maintain U.S. superiority against global adversaries while addressing domestic needs within military communities.
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