Hoyer Statement on Passage of the NDAA Conference Report

Statement

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA Conference Report:

"I'm pleased the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the NDAA Conference Report this afternoon. This important legislation will ensure that the men and women serving our nation have the tools they need to meet the challenges they face. I'm pleased that the NDAA Conference Report includes a provision to provide the family of Lt. Richard W. Collins, III with the benefits they deserve following his tragic murder. For three years I've fought to ensure Lt. Collins receives the honor and recognition he is due, and I hope this provision will provide some additional closure to his family.

"The NDAA Conference Report also requires the military to remove the names of Confederate leaders from bases and installations. I made it clear that I would not bring this legislation to the House Floor unless this provision was included, and I'm glad that it remains in the bill. The Confederate cause stood for slavery, sedition, and segregation. Our troops should not be working at bases named for people who fought for these values.

"Finally, I'm pleased that the NDAA Conference Report will also ensure that all federal employees receive 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Unfortunately some federal employees were not included when we enacted paid parental leave last year, but I'm pleased this oversight has been corrected for Fiscal Year 2021.

"I'm glad the NDAA Conference Report received strong bipartisan support. I strongly urge President Trump to not veto this important legislation over unrelated issues. Doing so would be bad for our military, our servicemembers, and would harm our national security. I hope the Senate passes this bill without delay and the President signs it into law."

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