Representative TJ Cox Gets Amendments Added to NDAA
Press Release
Tonight, three bipartisan amendments pushed by Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) were voted into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021. The amendments call for more transparency with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on how they use their discretionary funding for projects, TRICARE costs, and how the Department of Defense (DoD) deals with the transportation of fallen soldiers.
The way the DoD currently handles the transportation of fallen soldiers to their next of kin creates undue hardships for surviving families. Miscommunication between the DoD, airports, and transportation agencies makes what is already a tragedy even more difficult to endure. That is why one of Rep. Cox's amendments seeks to address the following questions;
For every airport across the US is there a full database/report of which airports accept remains and how that information is relayed to Casualty Assistance Calls Officers (CACOs), and
How has the Navy changed their CACO/returns process, what are the current procedures for CACOs/returns across all service branches, and what improvements can be made to the CACO/returns process?
"It's important that the NDAA that Congress passes provides not only the funding we need for a strong, national defense strategy, but also for the brave servicemembers and veterans that have risked their lives for our safety," said Rep Cox. "I worked hard with my colleagues in Congress to make sure the NDAA for fiscal year 2021 allows us to fund the projects and programs that so many servicemembers, veterans, and their families rely on. The NDAA that the House has worked tirelessly to create and amend will do just that."
The amendments to the NDAA pushed for by Rep. Cox also require the VA to report on;
How much discretionary funding has been unclaimed for projects, and making sure every penny spent on the VA is used appropriately, holding the VA accountable for their fiscal responsibility, and
The cost of providing TRICARE to every individual currently in the Health Professions Scholarship Program run by the Army, Navy, and Air Force which allows servicemembers to enter the healthcare industry. These students are making the ultimate sacrifice to serve as medical personnel in the military and should at least be given healthcare in medical school.
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