It's almost August— that means back-to-school time is almost here! Even if you don’t have young kids in school, everyone can help the families around you through the many nonprofits assisting with school supplies, backpacks, school cleanup projects and more. Back to school is a great time of year (especially for parents).
In the end of the summer heat, don’t forget to keep checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors to make sure they have what they need in the dog days of summer. If you find yourself in need, feel free to dial 2-1-1 to find out about local options for help in the heat.
Thank you for always doing what Oklahomans do: take care of one another.
August is the one month of the year that the Senate does not meet, which allows me to spend more time around Oklahoma listening. I am looking forward to connecting with many Oklahomans in the coming weeks as I drive around the state (with my air conditioner on).
Supporting Oklahoma Military Installations in the Defense Bill Thankfully, yesterday, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, known as the defense bill or the NDAA. This bill sets our defense policy for every military mission and training for the next fiscal year.
Many of my amendments were included in this year’s NDAA, which were designed to make sure our warfighters, their families, and Oklahoma’s military and National Guard installations have what they need. We provided another pay raise to our military as they face Biden’s inflation. I worked to hold military contractors accountable for dilapidated or dangerous military housing in Oklahoma. I fought for and won the additional funding and authority needed to rebuild L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School on Altus Air Force Base, which is in desperate need of repairs to provide a safe learning environment for children on the base.
Some of my specific amendments updated the anti-competitive procurement processes in DOD contracting, created a process for military spouses to have and build a career working remotely with federal agencies as they move around the country with their spouse, and I increased access to critical minerals from friendly nations instead of China. I even won an overtime pay increase for our Border Patrol since they work every day for our national security as well.
The final bill includes many other aspects that directly support Oklahoma defense, including: * A 5.2 %pay raise for our service members and Department of Defense civilian workforce along with payroll increases for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve military technician civilians * Counter-drone technology research and development in our state, which is spearheaded by OSU * KC-46 at Altus Air Force Base * Undergraduate Pilot Training Center at Vance Air Force Base * New power grid and backup power for Fort Sill Vehicle maintenance shop in Ardmore to serve our Army National Guard * B-21, T-7, KC-46, E7, and E-6 aircraft coming to Oklahoma In God we trust, James Lankford