Pappas Applauds Passage of House National Defense Authorization Act Containing Key New Hampshire Priorities

Statement

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas voted for the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. This bill authorizes $740 billion for our military and national security programs at the Department of Defense and Department of Energy (DOE). The NDAA also creates a Pandemic Preparedness and Resilience National Security Fund, and authorizes a 3% pay raise for our service members in uniform.

Pappas successfully fought for several New Hampshire priorities in the bill, including temporarily blocking a DOD plan that would bar veterans and their families from accessing military treatment facilities across the country, including in Portsmouth, help military installations clean up PFAS contamination, and establish a joint program between the DOD and the DOE to develop long-term energy storage technologies.

"I am pleased the House has advanced another bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act that will provide our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to keep this country safe," said Congressman Pappas. "This year's agreement takes steps to modernize our military and invest in our nation's readiness, while also making further efforts to clean up PFAS contamination and ensure New Hampshire veterans and military families can access the care they deserve. In the middle of a public health crisis, this crucial legislation will support our troops and our nation's readiness - and I'm glad the House acted in a strong bipartisan fashion to make this happen."

New Hampshire priorities secured by Pappas:

Delayed restructuring and closure of military treatment facilities to veterans and active duty family members across the country, including at a facility in Portsmouth;
Ensuring submarines at Portsmouth will get timely maintenance and that the submarine supplier base in New England is supported;
The establishment of a joint DOD and DOE initiative to develop new energy storage technologies, potentially including research projects in New Hampshire;
Language requiring manufacturers to disclose all PFAS discharges over 100 lbs; and,
An expansion of the Coast Guard's efforts to improve recruitment and retention of women based on the Fair and Equal Treatment of Women in the Coast Guard Act that Pappas introduced.

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