Manatee Review

Congressman Vern Buchanan has sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, urging them to include his priorities in the final version of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Eighteen of Buchanan's proposals were unanimously approved and included in the House-passed version of the annual defense policy bill earlier this year.

The House and Senate are currently working on a consolidated version of the bill, which will need approval from both chambers before being signed into law. Buchanan emphasized that his amendments aim to enhance "the health, safety and security of our active-duty troops and their families" while improving military readiness.

Buchanan highlighted four key amendments focusing on preparing recruits for boot camp amid recruitment challenges, addressing artificial intelligence threats from adversaries, reducing obesity among troops, and increasing telehealth services for servicemembers. The congressman's proposals also include directives such as notifying the Department of Veterans Affairs about transitioning service members with opioid use disorders and developing strategies to combat obesity within the military.

Buchanan's legislative efforts have previously resulted in several bills being signed into law by different presidents. His advocacy extends to reforming training procedures following an incident involving Army Specialist Panipinto, who died during a road test in South Korea.