House Approves NDAA with Rigell Amendment
Press Release
Today the House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included an amendment offered by Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) that allows service members to carry a concealed personal firearm on their military installation if the commander determines it to be necessary as a personal or force protection measure. The bill also increases troops' pay, improves benefits, and expands important sexual assault and behavioral health programs. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Rigell, who represents more active duty and retired military personnel than any other Member of Congress, said: "For more than 50 years, Congress has made it a top priority to pass a NDAA that defends our troops and their families and provides them with the tools and training needed to be successful. The funding authorized within this bill includes a modest pay increase for our men and women in uniform and fulfills our obligation as a Congress to ensure our Armed Forces are ready for any challenge they may face."
The NDAA, which is consistent with the House Budget Resolution and the President's Budget Request, allows service members to contribute to a portable retirement plan and reduces the backlog for military childcare. The bill also expands important sexual assault prevention and training to include ROTC and Junior ROTC programs.
Additionally, the bill imposes greater restrictions on the president's authority to unilaterally transfer terrorists to other countries -- a response to the administration's unlawful transfer of the Taliban 5 without Congressional notification, which the House formally condemned last year by passing Rigell's bipartisan resolution.
"Our service men and women, and their families, make tremendous sacrifices in defense of our freedom," Rigell continued. "We must give them our best, and that includes continuing to prioritize their safety. I thank my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee for ensuring this important bill was brought to the floor."
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