Federal House of Representatives Gives Way to Over $120 Million for Puerto Rico in Defense Infrastructure

The United States House of Representatives agreed last night on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022, which includes all the funds for which the commissioner had advocated resident, Jenniffer González Colón, before the Armed Forces Committee of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The measure now goes to the Senate and is expected to be passed into law.

The funding item includes $84 million for the school at the former Ramey base in Aguadilla, $12.19 million for microgrids at Fort Allen, $10.12 million for microgrids at the former Ramey base in Aguadilla, and $14 million for a replacement family housing unit. at Fort Buchanan.

Before the conference committee was formed to reconcile the proposals of the House and Senate on the NDAA, the congresswoman sent letters to the presidents and minority leaders in the Armed Services Committee of both bodies on November 19, where she advocated for the funds approved yesterday, among other initiatives.

Another initiative that the commissioner supported as co-chair of the Women's Caucus is the Yo Soy Vanessa Guillen (I Am Vanessa Guillen Act) bill, by Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California and of which González Colón is a co-author. The measure was included in the conference report and seeks to improve the response of the Armed Forces to claims of harassment and sexual assault and to provide compensation to those who survive sexual violence due to the negligence of the Armed Forces.

"Sexual harassment and assault, as well as gender-based violence, are problems that have been identified among members of the military for years, and it is not acceptable that they continue to happen. As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues, a member of the Women Veterans Task Force and the Bipartisan Task Force to End Domestic Violence, this is a priority issue. I am pleased with the approval of the measure in the Chamber incorporated in the Defense Law and I hope that it will also be approved in the Senate and become a reality", said the congresswoman.

Additionally, the conference report includes language based on an amendment previously submitted by the commissioner, which seeks to secure shooting training space. The Secretary of the Army is urged to present to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, no later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this law, a report on the current availability of training within Puerto Rico for "Level 1 Warrior Skills" among army reservists and where the possibility of expanding small arms training sites in Puerto Rico is identified.

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