Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Rep. Sewell previously opposed the House bill after Republicans hijacked it with amendments attacking diversity and inclusion while also undermining access to reproductive health care for service members. Sewell and her Democratic colleagues successfully removed many of these harmful provisions from the final House-passed version.

The FY25 NDAA includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent raise for all other service members. It includes more than $100 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to conduct research and major investments in Alabama’s military installations. It passed the House of Representatives today by a bipartisan vote of 281 to 140.

“Today, I voted yes on the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act to give our service members the support they need to keep our nation safe,” said Rep. Sewell. “I am very proud that this year’s NDAA includes a well-deserved 14.5 percent pay raise for our junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent raise for the many other brave Americans serving in our Armed Forces.”

“To be clear, this bill is not perfect,” continued Sewell. “Even though House Democrats successfully blocked the majority of divisive Republican amendments, I have serious concerns about some remaining provisions that were placed in the bill for political purposes. Still, the responsibility to support our service members and provide for our national security is one that I do not take lightly, which is why I ultimately chose to support the bill. Going forward, it is my hope that House Republicans will return to the important tradition of bipartisanship instead of playing politics with our national defense.”

Passed annually by Congress, the NDAA authorizes funding levels for the Department of Defense (DoD) and allows the Armed Forces to pay, train, and equip U.S. service members, support America’s allies around the world, and carry out essential national security operations. 

Rep. Sewell and Congressional Democrats successfully blocked many of Republicans’ harmful amendments to eliminate the Chief Diversity Officer and restrict access to reproductive health care for service women.

Rep. Sewell secured key wins in the FY25 NDAA:

• Provides a Pay Raise to Service Members - The NDAA includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members. It also raises the threshold for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Provides Research Funding for HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) - The NDAA includes $100 million to support cutting-edge research programs at HBCUs and MSIs.

• Improves Financial Literacy Training for Service Members - The NDAA includes Rep. Sewell’s bill, the SMART Save Act, to improve financial literacy training for service members.

• Authorizes $119.6 Million for Five Military Construction Projects in Alabama

• Expands Access to Reproductive Health Care Services - The NDAA eliminates copays for contraceptives for eligible TRICARE beneficiaries.