Pingree Votes to Support BIW Workforce, Reform Military Justice System in FY2022 Defense Authorization Act

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today voted for the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022). The House-passed bill authorizes three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and includes critical measures to combat sexual assault in the military, mitigate the effects of PFAS contamination, and address the climate emergency. Text of the House FY2022 NDAA can be found here.

"While this bill isn't perfect, it represents a true bipartisan effort that addresses climate change, promotes racial and gender equality, and stimulates a vibrant economy. Importantly, this legislation authorizes three destroyers in FY22, further protecting BIW workers and ensuring our Navy remains competitive with our adversaries," said Pingree. "I'm proud this bill includes amendments I cosponsored to support Maine's federal civilian shipyard employees."

The NDAA is the annual bill which authorizes expenditures for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), while funding is provided through the Defense Appropriations bill. The FY2022 NDAA:

Reforms Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assault:Makes historic changes in how special victims and sexual harassment cases are handled in the military including establishing an Office of the Special Victim Prosecutor and criminalizing sexual harassment.

Counters the Rise of Extremism: Establishes an Office of Countering Extremism responsible for training and education about extremist activities, and directs the Comptroller General to perform a review of the prevalence of extremist affiliations among members of the Armed Services.

Increases Basic Pay: Builds on previous attempts to close the pay gap by funding a 2.7% pay increase for service men and women in uniform and establishing a $15 minimum wage for covered service and construction contracts.

Prioritizes family readiness: Increases the allowable parental leave for caregivers including foster parents, authorizes a Basic Needs Allowance for low-income service members, and provides financial assistance for in-home childcare.

Invests in Women's Health: Requires TRICARE to offer similar contraceptive coverage as currently provided through the Affordable Care Act, establishes a pilot program in support of post-natal care, and directs new policy guidance in support of post-partum treatment.

Strengthens BIW: Authorizes three Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers for FY2022 and authorizes advance procurement funding for a third destroyer in FY2023. In June, Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, successfully restored funding for a second Arleigh Burke destroyer, which was cut in the Administration's initial FY2022 budget proposal. The bill further authorizes the Navy to enter into a 15 ship multiyear procurement contract beginning in FY2023.

Protects Military Communities from PFAS chemicals: Requires enforceable state standards for PFAS contamination clean-up, prohibits DoD from procuring PFAS-contaminated products, requires DoD to publish and make publicly available results of drinking and ground water testing for PFAS conducted on or near military installations, formerly used defense sites, and National Guard sites, and more.

Makes efforts to address the worsening climate emergency:Authorizes funds for enhancing extreme weather resilience of infrastructure, requires the DoD to incorporate extreme weather events into their strategy and planning documents, and establishes a clean aviation fuel pilot program, and more.

Addresses the effects of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan:Authorizes $500 million for Department of Defense relocation support for SIVs and at-risk Afghans, directs the establishment of a commission on the war in Afghanistan, and expresses a sense of Congress recognizing the men and women of the Armed Services for securing Hamid Karzai International Airport and supporting the largest Noncombatant Evacuation Operation in United States history, including the 13 service members who gave their lives for this mission.

Promotes diversity: Updates old diversity training requirements to ensure programming reduces discrimination and bias based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among others.

Improves capabilities in cyberspace and addresses emerging threats: Authorizes nearly $1 billion in additional cybersecurity investments in people, programs, and technologies.

Additionally, Pingree cosponsored two amendments to the FY2022 NDAA sponsored by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) to support federal civilian employees at the nation's four public shipyards. Amendment #225 ensures protected overtime pay for Navy employees that are performing work on Naval vessels overseas, and Amendment #226 calls for an independent study on the impacts to Navy shipyard workers affected by the 2016 pause to the Accelerated Promotion Program (APP). Both amendments were successfully passed by the House and included in the bill.

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