Our national security depends on a strong military laser focused on defending our country and our values. China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, terrorist groups, and other diabolical forces are intent on destabilizing our nation, dismantling our economy, and sowing chaos across the globe. We cannot let this new Axis of Evil and their proxies undermine American leadership on the world stage nor can we let them get away with openly disregarding the rule of law, international norms, and global security interests.

To ensure that our troops have the resources and support that they need to keep our enemies in check and protect our communities, I recently voted for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which sets the military’s budget for the year and includes other defense-related measures. This year’s NDAA makes needed investments in military housing, servicemember pay, health care, child care, and military recruitment and readiness. It also includes provisions to deter China’s growing influence globally, eliminate radical DEI initiatives, and support Israel against terror. All in all, it represents a commitment to our mission of peace through strength.

The NDAA enhances servicemember quality of life in several ways. Through continued advocacy, Republicans secured a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers. This is a long overdue adjustment that recognizes the hard work of our troops and compensates them accordingly. The NDAA also includes resources to build and renovate military housing, construct new childcare facilities, and improve education outcomes for children of servicemembers.

Standing up to China is another vital priority of this year’s NDAA. We included measures to protect our defense position in the Indo-Pacific, rebuild our Navy, and accelerate our advanced manufacturing capabilities. The NDAA further prevents our federal government from sharing sensitive missile information with China, bans Chinese nationals from entering our nuclear facilities, prohibits funds for the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and requires the Department of Defense to report to Congress on military cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. By deterring Chinese aggression on multiple fronts, our nation will be stronger and safer.

Additionally, the NDAA guts radical DEI initiatives from our military while saving taxpayers billions of dollars. It bans the teaching of Critical Race Theory at military schools, bans the Department of Defense from offering transgender medical surgeries to children, and stops the federal government from mandating the full electrification of our trucks and tanks. By eliminating these unnecessary policies and cutting waste, this NDAA saves taxpayers $31 billion. We must continue to identify waste, fraud, and abuse and root it out of our government.

Furthermore, this investment in our troops is also an investment in our allies. It reasserts our commitment to Israel, authorizes full funding for the Iron Dome and other missile defense systems, and ensures that we can counter terrorist groups like Hamas. The NDAA also requires the Department of Defense to notify Congress of any transfer of weapons from Iran to its terrorist proxies and to update lawmakers on the progress of Iran’s nuclear abilities. We further added provisions to stop taxpayer dollars from flowing to the Taliban, prevent North Korean nationals from being admitted to our military installations, and push back against ISIS and other terrorist networks.

Our troops and their families make incredible sacrifices so that we can all enjoy the freedoms and liberties that make the United States the greatest country on Earth. The men and women who humbly wear the uniform are committed to a mission larger than themselves and a cause worthy of our endless praise. This year’s NDAA serves as a small token of our gratitude for all that they do in defense of our way of life. As a proud American, I will always support our troops and their families – working to ensure that they have the resources that they need to succeed.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District.