Press Releases
House Passes National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020
Washington,
December 11, 2019
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Susan Parker
(662-687-2570)
WASHINGTON - Today, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. This bill strengthens and modernizes our national defense readiness on multiple fronts, enabling our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to respond to any threat against America. The FY2020 NDAA supports a 3.1 percent pay raise - the largest increase in a decade and establishes the United States Space Force as the sixth Armed Service of the United States under the Air Force. "As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and an NDAA Conferee, I am proud to be a part of this process which supports the National Defense Strategy," Rep. Kelly said. "The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2020 will also serve as the catalyst to restore readiness while caring for our most cherished asset - military families." Representative Kelly spearheaded the effort for the inclusion of the following provisions: • Tricare Reserve Select eligibility for all federal employees and National Guard federal technicians beginning in 2030. This provision saves the government $1.6B over ten years, and Rep. Kelly is committed to continuing to work to move the eligibility date closer to today from 2030. • Included language on maxing the initial contribution of service members to the Blended Retirement System at 5% with a 5% government match instead of a 1% contribution with a 1% government match. • The creation of a Survivors Action Working Group that meets periodically with the chiefs of the Armed Forces and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to receive feedback from those survivors regarding issues affecting such survivors. • Provisions that preserves military healthcare by preventing the services from making cuts to healthcare billets before providing additional analysis on the impact those cuts will have on the military health system. • A sense of Congress that JROTC should be increased in fiscal year 2020 to include at least 3,700 JROTC units nationwide. • The expansion of support for military spouses by doubling the reimbursement amount spouses can receive for professional licensing and expanding eligibility for educational assistance. • The improvement of military childcare, including expanding direct hiring authority for child development centers and requiring a comprehensive assessment of childcare capacity on military installations. • Ensuring the National Guard gains access to the Defense Environmental Restoration Accounts in order to clean up environmental damage caused by training for federal missions. Congressman Trent Kelly represents Mississippi's First Congressional District. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Rep. Kelly also serves on the House Committee on Agriculture. This is his third term. ### |