Trahan Votes to Increase Pay, Strengthen Care, Improve Benefits for American Servicemembers

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, supported the passage of H.R. 7776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The legislation includes funding for issues Trahan has prioritized since first being elected to Congress, including increasing pay and financial support for servicemembers, investing in 21st-century technologies, addressing PFAS and other harmful contaminants, and reducing pollution that is harming the environment.

"Servicemembers and their families sacrifice so much to defend the freedoms and values we hold dear as Americans. Ensuring they have the support, pay, and benefits they need continues to be one of my top priorities. That's why I voted for this package, which not only increases servicemember pay, but also improves child care, health care, and suicide prevention programs that will be transformational for so many serving in the Armed Forces," said Congresswoman Trahan. "I'm also proud this comprehensive legislation makes progress on many other fronts, including investing in breakthrough technologies, addressing PFAS contamination, transitioning to clean energy, and providing assistance to Ukraine."

The legislation passed the House 350-80 and now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

Trahan's priorities in the NDAA for FY2023 include:

SUPPORTING MILITARY PERSONNEL

Addresses the impact of inflation on servicemembers and their families by increasing military basic pay, adding funds for servicemember housing, increasing the Basic Needs Allowance, focusing on child care challenges, and supporting spouse employment.
Improves quality of care and military treatment facility oversight, as well as strengthens suicide prevision efforts and access to behavioral health improvements.

IMPROVING OUR CYBER, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Increases funding for basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development by $2.85 billion to enable DoD to invest in breakthrough technologies.
Authorizes $131.7 million, an increase of over $98.4 million from the President's budget request, for defense research activities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
Strengthens cyber capabilities and oversight while increasing support for cyber operators.

ADDRESSING PFAS AND OTHER CONTAMINATION

Implements a phase-out of gear containing dangerous PFAS chemicals.
Incentivizes private sector development of PFAS-free firefighting foam commonly used on military installations.
Requires DoD to implement Comptroller General recommendations to set goals for the timely clean-up of formerly used defense sites that fall under the military munitions response program (MMRP).

INVESTING IN CLEAN ENERGY AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

Requires all main operating bases in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility to adopt installation energy plans to increase energy resiliency and sustainability in order to reduce reliance on Russian energy.
Establishes a prototype and demonstration program that designates installations as Energy Resilience Testbeds to spur innovation in energy resilience technologies. 
Establishes a pilot program for the use of sustainable aviation fuel and for the development of innovative electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Requires transition of DoD non-tactical vehicle fleets to electric or zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
Requires DoD to develop a policy for the recycling of spent advanced batteries as well as a plan for minimizing the impacts of the heat island effect on military installations. 
RequiresDoD to amend its building codes to consider the use of solar roofing to promote energy resiliency and grid support during energy disruptions.

SUPPORTING UKRAINE AND HOLDING RUSSIA ACCOUNTABLE

Includes $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which provides support and assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 
Establishes policy to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence and information related to war crimes and other atrocities committed during Russia's further invasion of Ukraine.
Excludes Russian officials from the Group of 20, Bank for International Settlements, Basel Committee for Banking Standards, Financial Stability Board, International Association of Insurance Supervisors, and International Organization of Securities Commissions.
Imposes sanctions on persons who knowingly participate in a significant transaction of gold with Russia.

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