Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) applauded the House passage of H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which passed by a vote of 329-101 Thursday night. The bill prioritizes investments in people, technology and supporting our service men and women, including a much-deserved 4.6 percent pay raise for servicemembers and civilian employees.

H.R. 7900 also includes language from two of Cartwright’s introduced bills: H.R. 7840, the Military Spouse Job Continuity Act, and H.R. 8377, the Ukraine Asset Forfeiture Transfer Authority Act. 

The Military Spouse Job Continuity Act would continue to remedy some of the challenges that our nation’s military spouses face by permanently extending the $1,000 reimbursement of qualified costs to any military spouse who renews or transfers a professional license due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order that takes them across state lines.

The Ukraine Asset Forfeiture Transfer Authority Act will ensure the Department of Justice has the necessary authority to transfer the proceeds of seized assets to Ukraine to support and address the humanitarian and other needs created by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This important legislation would provide expedient support for Ukraine during this critical time.

“This year’s defense bill invests directly in our service members and their families who are the foundation for America’s defense,” said Congressman Matt Cartwright. “The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 will strengthen America’s national security for many years to come, and I’m proud to see language from my two bills included.”

The national defense bill will support key improvements in pay for service members and their families, while also investing in future capabilities that will allow the United States to confront the unprecedented challenges facing our nation at home and abroad. H.R. 7900 authorizes $839 billion in discretionary spending for national defense for FY 2023, while making significant quality of life improvements for service members. 

Other key priorities of the bill include funding for harm mitigation, supply chain security and a $275 million investment in next-generation capabilities in hypersonics, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and software.