House Passes Annual Defense Bill which Includes Rose Provisions to Support Servicemembers and Veterans

Press Release

The House of Representatives passed today with broad bipartisan support the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA). The legislation includes provisions from Congressman Max Rose to better support our servicemembers with toll relief and workforce development programs, as well as extending Agent Orange benefits to tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans. Additionally, the legislation provides a three percent pay raise for servicemembers and includes a bipartisan provision to rename all military bases and infrastructure named after Confederates, including streets at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn which Rose has called to be renamed.

"Whether deployed overseas or here at home in response to the coronavirus pandemic, our servicemembers continue to put their lives on the line and I'm honored to help pass this legislation providing critical support to them and their families, including a much-deserved pay raise," said Rose, an Army combat veteran. "I fought to include provisions to provide toll relief for military personnel, provide tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange the benefits they deserve, and expand workforce development programs for Reservists and National Guard members--and am proud to get the job done. Additionally, we are finally removing Confederate traitors from our military installations, including here at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn."

Toll Relief for Military Personnel

Included in the NDAA is a provision by Rose to include fares and tolls, without regard to distance traveled, as an eligible reimbursement expense for military personnel. This will help military servicemembers who travel in high-toll areas like New York for official duties, like Reservists and National Guard members who have to pay tolls to attend regular Inactive Duty for Training each year, but are currently rarely reimbursed.

Guarantee Benefits to Tens of Thousands of Vietnam Veterans Left Out of Existing Agent Orange Exposure

An amendment sponsored by Rose was included in the NDAA to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide presumptive benefits to Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange who are currently left out of a program designed to assist them. The VA doesn't currently recognize bladder cancer, parkinsonism or hypothyroidism as being linked to exposure to Agent Orange despite a comprehensive study indicating a link by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Earlier this month, Rose joined Senator Schumer and Staten Island veterans at a press conference on this effort.

Expansion of Workforce Development Training for Reservists and National Guard Members

The NDAA includes a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Rose to provide in-demand skills training and employment assistance to Reservists and National Guard members who are within 180 days of transitioning into civilian life. The provision expands the Department of Defense's (DoD) SkillBridge program to all Reservists and National Guard members, which allows large employers like Microsoft and Amazon to offer training programs to servicemembers transitioning out of military service. The DoD projects that the legislation would lead to a 30% increase in participation in the SkillBridge program. Last year, only 8,600 servicemembers utilized the program.

Changing Confederate Named Military Bases and Infrastructure, Including at Ft. Hamilton

In this bill, the House has come together on a bipartisan basis to begin the process of changing the names of military bases and infrastructure named after individuals who served in the Confederacy--with the process to be completed in one year. This includes two streets at Fort Hamilton, a U.S. Army base in Brooklyn, named after Confederate generals: Stonewall Jackson Drive and General Lee Avenue. Last month, Rose led calls for the streets to be renamed.

Rose, the first post-9/11 combat veteran to represent New York City, served as an active duty officer in Afghanistan from 2012-2013 and earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge. Rose, who serves as a Captain in the National Guard, deployed with the National Guard earlier this year to assist in the coronavirus response where he helped set up a COVID-only emergency hospital on Staten Island.

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