WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems (CITI), voted to advance this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), his last as a member of Congress. The bill passed the House Armed Services Committee by a bipartisan vote of 57-1.

Specifically, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 NDAA will prepare the U.S. military to counter the threats posed by our foreign adversaries, drive investments in cutting-edge research and development, and authorize a 4.6% pay raise for our brave women and men in uniform.  

“Since I arrived in Congress nearly 22 years ago, I have done my best to deliver the best, most effective technologies into the hands of our warfighters, so that no American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Guardian ever has to enter a fair fight,” said Rep. Jim Langevin. “I am confident that this year’s NDAA will position our military to retain its technological superiority, respond to growing strategic competitors like Russia and China, and counter the ever-increasing threat of frequent and sophisticated cyberattacks.” 

For the last 11 years, Rep. Langevin has helped to lead the House Armed Services’ cyber subcommittee, during which he has championed efforts to strengthen our collective cybersecurity, promoted key research and development efforts, and supported investments in groundbreaking technologies, like hypersonics, directed energy, and artificial intelligence.   

 “We have come a long way since 2001, when that year’s NDAA neglected to include the words ‘cyber’ or ‘internet’ even once. Now, an entire title of the NDAA is devoted to cyberspace-related matters, CYBERCOM has been stood up as a Unified Combatant Command, and we established the first-ever, Senate confirmed National Cyber Director,” Langevin continued. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to work on this critical legislation for more than two decades, and I look forward to getting this year’s bill passed out of Congress and signed into law by the President.” 

Congressman Langevin also secured several priorities in this legislation, including provisions to: 

• Establish the Joint Collaborative Environment, a key Cyberspace Solarium Commission recommendation, which will provide a common toolset for the public and private sector to analyze cyber threat information and share information in real-time.  

• Improve accessibility in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), so that national security professionals with disabilities have equal access to the federal facilities upon which our national security depends. 

• Support development of regenerative medicine technologies, to improve treatment of wounds and burns, speed healing, and shorten periods of recovery and rehabilitation. 

• Authorize additional funding to repair our nation’s premier laboratories and research facilities to better conduct 21st century testing and attract the nation’s top talent.  

• Invest in the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, a partnership between the University of Connecticut, University of Rhode Island, and General Dynamics Electric Boat to enhance the performance of our nation’s warships. 

• Increase the number of Assistant Secretaries of Defense to bolster innovation and foster distinct technology and acquisition culture within Department leadership. 

• Maintain robust funding for continued construction of Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, and related workforce development efforts. 

• Promote mission resilience by accelerating the DoD’s preparations for the long-term effects of climate change, including the use of electric vehicles and incorporation of disaster preparedness into military exercises. 

• Bolster funding for innovative undersea warfare technologies, including sensors, surveillance systems, and torpedo modifications that are developed across the Ocean State.