Congressman Kim Delivers Pay Increase for Troops, Wins for New Jersey in National Defense Bill

Statement

Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) signed the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 which includes several key measures introduced and championed by the Congressman. The compromise bill will now be voted on by the House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by the President.

"I fought for a seat on the House Armed Services Committee so I could fight for our Joint Base, and I'm proud that as one of the few freshmen to be named to the conference committee, we've been able to deliver for New Jersey," said Congressman Kim. "This bill is a big win for our community. We'll see higher pay for our service members, more jobs, cleaner water, and more opportunities for our military spouses. I'm thankful to all the members of our military community in Burlington and Ocean Counties who worked with me to ensure our community needs were met. I'll keep fighting to ensure our Joint Base and the personnel and families who serve there always have a voice in Congress."

Congressman Kim served as a conferee to the bicameral conference committee on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. He was one of three Democratic freshmen named by House leadership to this position.

Elements of the Defense Authorization Act introduced and championed by Congressman Kim include:

-Funding for new jobs in Burlington County through a next-generation naval defense project.
-Directing the Department of Defense to phase out dangerous PFAS chemicals that impact military community groundwater.
-Increased access to job training programs and doubled funding for military spouse relicensing fees.
-Directing the Department of Defense to conduct "Black-Start" exercises on joint military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

In addition to elements authored and championed by Congressman Kim, the NDAA also:

-Provides a 3.1 percent increase in military pay for all military service members.
-Provides 12 weeks in paid family leave for federal employees.
-Provides additional direction for ending the use of PFAS chemicals by the military.
-Phases out and eliminates the Widow's Tax.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

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