National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

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Mr. RUNYAN. Thank you, Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith, for your leadership on this important legislation for our men and women in uniform. It is an honor to serve with the both of you.

Mr. Chairman, as a result of the 2005 BRAC, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in my home district was combined into one installation from three separate military installations, which caused a problem. One issue this bill addresses is pay parity.

Currently at Joint Base MDL, which used to be the separate Fort Dix and McGuire bases, wage grade system employees are paid at the Philadelphia locality pay rate, while at the Lakehurst side, the people doing the same jobs are paid at the New York locality rate.

While OPM has indicated they want to resolve this situation, no change has yet been made.

The language in the bill will work towards fixing this inequity by requiring OPM to work with the DOD to implement OPM's recommendation with respect to the Department of Defense Federal Wage System employees working at all joint military installations.

Additionally, I want to recognize my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Rob Andrews and Congressman Frank LoBiondo, for their work on this issue, as well as Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, who also has been active in assisting the employees at the joint base.

Again, I thank you, Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith, for your support on this, and I want to express my strong support for H.R. 1540 and our Nation's war fighters.

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