Two bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) are included as amendments in the final fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) package.
“Today’s NDAA helps us support our troops and protect our national security at home and abroad,” said Rep. Kim.
The U.S. Senate on Dec. 13 approved the NDAA for FY 2023, H.R. 7776, which will equip the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. military with critical resources. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in June. The Senate amended and approved the measure in July before both houses began work to reconcile their differences on it.
“American peace, prosperity and strength require a strong national defense equipped with the proper training, support and equipment needed to meet global challenges wherever they find us — on land, at sea, in the air, in space or cyberspace,” Rep. Kim said. “As we face growing aggression from adversaries like China, Russia and Iran, the need for a capable, modernized military is more important than ever.”
Included in H.R. 7776 is the Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act, H.R. 8259, which Rep. Kim sponsored on July 1 to track delivery of U.S. defense equipment already sold to support Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies, according to a bill summary provided by her office.
“As Putin invades Ukraine and Xi eyes Taiwan, we do not have the luxury of time to keep promises we made to our allies, which is why we must address backlogged arms sales and ensure efficient delivery of U.S. defense equipment already sold to Taiwan and other Indo Pacific allies,” the congresswoman said. “The Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act will do exactly that. I will continue to work on policies that help the United States lead from a position of strength.”
Also included in the larger defense bill is the Divided Families Reunification Act, H.R. 826, which Rep. Kim cosponsored in February 2021 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) to prioritize reuniting Korean Americans with their family members in North Korea, the summary says.
“As a Korean American who grew up in South Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War, I understand and have great empathy for Korean Americans’ continued separation from their families in North Korea,” said Rep. Kim. “That is why I have been pushing for family reunifications since before my time in Congress. I am thrilled we can finally get this done as time is running out to make these reunifications a reality.”
The Senate is expected to soon present the NDAA to President Joe Biden for his signature to make it law.
