Today, December 7th, 2021, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) released the following statement after voting YES on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Fiscal Year 2022:
“As a 24-year Army veteran, I am pleased to see the final version of the NDAA overwhelmingly pass the House to strengthen our military and their support system. This legislation provides much-needed increases in troop pay, improves servicemember mental health services, and increases available funds well over the President’s initial budget request. The bill also provides funding to improve equipment and readiness and I was proud to vote in favor of it.
Included in this legislation are several provisions I fought for including my bipartisan Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act, my DHS Medical Countermeasures Act, and legislation to create a National Global War on Terrorism Memorial.
Especially important to me is language that prevents dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who choose not to be vaccinated, bans taxpayer funds from going to the Taliban, requires an investigation into the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement in the origins of COVID-19, prohibits the federal government from purchasing goods made by Uyghur Muslims in forced labor camps, and takes steps toward fixing our broken military justice system.
I am also pleased to see this legislation protects the rights of lawful veteran gun owners and does not include provisions to require women to register for the draft. I look forward to seeing the NDAA swiftly pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President.”
Background:
This year’s NDAA included several of Miller-Meeks’ legislative priorities:
The Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act (Section 641) would give veterans and Gold Star families free lifetime access to national parks and public federal lands and give active-duty military free annual passes.
The DHS Medical Countermeasures Act (Section 6408) would support and protect the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) workforce and Department mission continuity by requiring the Secretary to establish a medical countermeasures program to protect employees and working animals in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive attack; or naturally occurring disease outbreaks or pandemics.
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (Section 6605) would authorize the establishment of a memorial for servicemembers of the Global War on Terrorism on the National Mall.
The NDAA is an annual bill to authorize funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The final FY 22 NDAA conference report is the product of months of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations and built on broad consensus.
Original source can be found here
