Seven Jones Proposals Included in House Defense Authorization Act

Press Release

Yesterday, the House Armed Services Committee voted to include seven proposals introduced by Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, H.R. 1960. Notably, Congressman Jones' efforts resulted in measures addressing military religious freedom, transparency in congressional travel costs, and improved health services for members of the armed services. The bill will go to the House floor next week for further consideration.

The first of Congressman Jones' proposals -- passed by voice vote as an amendment to H.R. 1960 -- would allow military chaplains to close their prayers as they see fit, ensuring that they are not denied their constitutional right to religious freedom. Congressman Jones has been a longtime leader in the fight for religious freedom in the military.

"I know of multiple chaplains who have been reprimanded for closing their prayers "in Jesus' name,'" said Jones. "This provision is absolutely necessary to prevent the constitutional rights of these individuals from being trampled in the future. Military chaplains provide an invaluable service to our men and women in uniform, and their work should not be hindered by a blatant disregard for religious freedom."

A second amendment introduced by Congressman Jones and passed by a voice vote would bring transparency to the cost of taxpayer-funded overseas travel by members of Congress. Currently, when a senator or representative takes an international trip using U.S. military aircraft, the Department of Defense is not required to disclose the cost. Under Congressman Jones' provision, these costs would be made public, with the exception of trips to visit U.S. military installations on foreign soil or U.S. military personnel in a war zone.

"It is my belief that members of Congress should save money whenever possible by using commercial airlines," said Jones. "Even if my colleagues disagree with me and continue to travel by military aircraft, I think it is perfectly reasonable for them to let the taxpayers know how much money this practice costs. Requiring this disclosure will allow constituents to hold their elected officials accountable for their expenditures."

To address the issue of health services for military personnel, Congressman Jones supported a provision that would create a Commission on Service to the Nation to research the issues faced by men and women transitioning from active duty to civilian life. Separately, language proposed by Congressman Jones was adopted that would ensure the Department of Defense appropriately evaluates service members suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other mental health disorders. In cases involving these conditions, the department's physical evaluation board would be required to include a behavioral health professional.

"Our men and women in uniform have made incredible sacrifices to defend our freedom," said Jones. "They deserve high quality care to begin healing their mental and physical wounds. Ensuring that they have access to these resources will allow them to make a healthy transition to civilian life."

As the proud representative of many members of the Marine Corps, Congressman Jones successfully introduced a provision that would officially change the name of the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps in order to appropriately recognize the service of the individuals in the Third District and their counterparts across the country.

The final two measures backed by Congressman Jones focused on Defense Department expenditures. The first would direct the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to conduct an audit, which would improve compliance with previously implemented standards that require the department to purchase certain items from American -- not foreign -- sources. This requirement is commonly referred to as the Berry Amendment. The second would allow the Secretary of Defense to authorize grant assistance for nonprofit organizations that benefit military dependent students. Particularly, this effort would target organizations that encourage civic engagement and responsibility.

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