Press Releases
Kuster Statement on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020Kuster-led provisions included in the bill would reduce wasteful spending, protect servicemembers from sexual violence and improve support to families of fallen servicemembers. Legislation includes largest troop pay raise in a decade.
Washington, DC,
December 11, 2019
Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement on the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key provisions led and advocated for by Kuster. The legislation also includes a 3.1% pay increase for our nation’s servicemembers, the largest in a decade. “From securing the largest pay raise for our servicemembers in a decade, providing support for survivors of partner and domestic violence, to implementing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all civilian federal employees, I am glad to see this critical legislation pass the House,” said Kuster. “I am excited to see a number of provisions I led and cosponsored included in the final legislation as part of our nation’s defense priorities.” Provisions advocated for by Kuster in the final legislation that was passed by the House include: Paid parental leave Implement 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all civilian federal employees. Repeal of the Widows Tax Repeal the Widows Tax to allow families of fallen servicemembers to continue receiving vital benefits. This provision repeals the dollar for dollar offset surviving military spouses get for the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Program (DIC) & the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Eliminate wasteful DOD spending Department of Defense-wide best practices to improve the collection of real property information to cut down on wasteful spending. Protect and support survivors of intimate partner and domestic violence
Protection from Carbon Monoxide poisoning Require DOD to install carbon monoxide alarms in all military housing to protect servicemembers and their families. Empower servicemembers to fight medical malpractice Create a pathway for servicemembers to file claims for themselves or a family member in the case of medical malpractice. Gender integration in Marine Corps boot camps Establish a timeline and require the Marine Corps to gender integrate basic training programs at Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots. ### |