The U.S. House has
approved H.R. 2740-- which includes U.S Rep. Visclosky’s Fiscal Year (FY)
2020 Defense Appropriation Act--by a vote of 226 to 203.
“This bill makes
several efforts to focus on the well-being and morale of those in uniform,
their families, DoD civilians, and defense communities,” Visclosky said in a
statement released on Wednesday. “For example, in addition to a 3.1 percent
pay raise for our women and men in uniform, the bill also provides increased
funds for military childcare facilities because I believe that access to
affordable and quality childcare is vital to retention in our all-volunteer
force, particularly for mid-career enlisted personnel and officers. I look
forward to continuing to work with all members of Congress to complete our
work prior to the start of the new Fiscal Year.”
As chair of the
House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Visclosky was responsible for
drafting the FY 2020 Defense Appropriations Act. In general, the measure
includes $690.2 billion for the Department of Defense, which is $15.8
billion more than the FY 2019 enacted level, and aims to provide investments
needed to defend the nation against evolving threats, prepare for future
challenges, and meet the needs of service members and military families.
Among the act’s
provisions:
--A 3.1 percent pay
raise for our women and men in uniform, the largest increase in basic pay
since 2010.
--An additional
$70.7 million for upgrades to military childcare facilities.
--$297.2 million
for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs at the Service level,
$13.5 million above the FY19 enacted level and equal to the request, and an
additional $35 million for Special Victims Counsel for victims of sexual
assault and $3 million for a Sexual Trauma Treatment Pilot Program for
treatment of members of the Armed Forces for PTSD Related to Military Sexual
Trauma.
--$1.26 billion for
environmental restoration activities, which is $188 million above the
request. This includes $13 million for a nationwide health study on the
implications of PFOS/PFOA at former and current domestic military
installations.
--$142 billion for
the procurement of ground vehicles, aircraft, ships, munitions, and other
equipment; strengthened Buy America requirements; and $101.5 billion for
basic and applied scientific research, development, and the testing of new
technologies and equipment.
--Finally, $1.3
billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account, which was not
included in the Administration’s budget request.
