House Passes FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act with Critical Alaska Provisions Championed by Congressman Don Young

Statement

Today, with the support of Alaska Congressman Don Young, the House of Representatives passed S. 1790 -- the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- legislation to set the annual budget for the Department of Defense. In addition to supplying needed funding for military expenditures, providing a 3.1% military pay raise, and bolstering natural disaster preparedness, this legislation also includes several provisions of importance to the State of Alaska and Alaska Native communities. Following House passage of the NDAA, Congressman Young issued the following statement:

"Every year, Congress passes the NDAA to authorize national defense spending for domestic and overseas operations. This year's bill is an important one, and I'm very proud of what we as a Congress were able to accomplish on behalf of our military. The FY 2020 NDAA takes critical steps to strengthen our national defense and provides funding for a well-deserved pay raise for the brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces. I am especially proud to have worked with Senator Dan Sullivan to improve and strengthen the 8(a) Native Contracting program by removing barriers that had previously been hindering Alaska Native organizations from providing their impressive services to the Department of Defense. The NDAA also includes my language to help bolster security in the Arctic by providing for an independent study of Chinese investment in the region. The Arctic continues to be an area of great strategic importance. This bill also includes a provision written in conjunction with Senator Dan Sullivan allowing for the creation of a Strategic Arctic Port to bolster security and ensure that America is equipped to defend the region from foreign threats and to better respond to emergencies in the Arctic.

Military readiness is crucially important. If our nation is to have a first-rate military capable of defending freedom across the globe, it must be equipped with the tools necessary to fight. I have long been a supporter of bringing the F-35 to Alaska, and I am happy that this year's NDAA authorizes nearly $9 million in Military Construction funding for F-35 storage facilities at Eielson Air Force Base. Additionally, the NDAA authorizes funding for the Air Force to acquire 60 F-35A aircraft. Safe and strong infrastructure is very important to our military readiness. When threats emerge, being able to quickly mobilize is essential to neutralizing threats. The NDAA authorizes $75 million for the Office of Economic Adjustment's Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which provides grants and other funds to assist Alaska and state governments across the country in addressing deficient infrastructure in our communities.

This is a very good bill, and I am proud to see such broad bipartisan support for our nation's military. I would like to thank our Senator Dan Sullivan for his continued leadership in the area of national defense and for working with me to secure results in the NDAA for Alaska. My commitment is to the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. In Congress, I will continue to champion their causes and make sure they know that Congress has their backs."

Congressman Young's Initiatives Included in the Final Conference Language:

8(a) Native Contracting Amendment: The amendment revises authorities related to Department of Defense approval of certain sole source awards to 8(a) firms, including tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Specifically, the threshold for requiring justification and approval would be increased from $22 million to $100 million.

Chinese Foreign Investment in the Arctic: Congressman Young's amendment directs an independent study of Chinese foreign investment in Arctic countries, with a focus on the effects of this investment on United States national security and economic competition in the region.

Strategic Arctic Ports: The amendment requires the United States Secretary of Defense -- in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Administrator of United States Maritime Administration -- to submit a report evaluating potential sites for one or more strategic ports in the Arctic region. The provision would also provide the Secretary of Defense with the ability to designate one or more ports as Department of Defense Strategic Arctic Ports.

Provisions of Interest:

The Defense Community Infrastructure Program: The conference agreement authorizes $75 million for the Office of Economic Adjustment's Defense Community Infrastructure Program. This program provides grants, and supplemental funds to assist state and local governments in addressing deficiencies in community infrastructure projects or outside facilities that support military installations.

PFAS/PFOA: The final NDAA prohibits the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS after October 1, 2024, and immediately prohibits the uncontrolled release of fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and the use of AFFF in training exercises at military installations. This agreement also encourages the Secretary of Defense to finalize cooperative agreements with states to address contamination by these substances and authorizes the National Guard to access Defense Environmental Remediation Account funds for the purpose of addressing PFAS/PFOA exposure and contamination resulting from National Guard activities.

Military Construction (MILCON): The conference report authorizes $8.6 million in MILCON funding for the F-35A AME Storage facility at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Parental Leave: The FY 2020 NDAA provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees provided the amount of leave taken is worked before employment ends. If the used leave is not made up, employees must pay back its value.

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