December 28, 2020

Rep. Lou Correa Joins House To Overturn Veto & Pass Bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act

Bipartisan Legislation Includes Pay Raise, Benefits For Servicemembers Exposed To Agent Orange, and Rep. Correa’s Amendment Increase Diversity In Armed Forces Leadership

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Lou Correa joined his colleagues in rejecting President Trump’s attempt to block the bipartisan and bicameral National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a 3% pay raise for our troops, additional hazard pay for servicemembers in harm’s way, benefits for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and Congressman Correa’s amendment to research how ROTC effects minority recruits’ career advancement in our Armed Forces. 

Rep. Lou Correa said, “President Trump’s veto of this year’s NDAA has nothing to do with the legislation before us or with protecting our troops. Republicans and Democrats alike recognize this important legislation as a critical step for protecting our national security and the men and women who protect it. 

“We ask a lot of our men and women in uniform. We owe it to them to ensure they have the tools and support they need to accomplish their mission and get home. This year’s NDAA puts our servicemembers needs first by increasing their pay, improving military housing, expanding childcare services, and finally providing benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange.”

BACKGROUND: The bipartisan and bicameral National Defense Authorization Act will strengthen our security and advance America’s leadership in the world. Included in this year’s bill is Congressman Correa’s “ROTC Achievement Amendment” which directs the Secretary of Defense to research how ROTC influences a recruit’s careers and outcomes in an attempt to expand minority representation in the Armed Forces. The amendment aims to determine if individuals recruited in different levels of education are more likely to achieve or receive recommendations for higher positions.

This year’s NDAA legislation also includes:

  • Authorizing hazardous duty pay for service members in harm’s way,

  • Providing a 3.0 percent pay raise for our troops,

  • Creating an independent commission to make binding recommendations on modifying or removing all names, symbols, displays, etc. that honor the Confederacy or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederacy,

  • Ensuring paid parental leave is extended to all federal employees,

  • Addressing the shortage in military child care,

  • Providing long-overdue benefits to Vietnam-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange,

  • Requiring improvements in military housing,

  • Further protecting military communities from PFAS,

  • Constraining executive overreach relating to emergency construction authority and deployment of military personnel to the southern border,

  • Ensuring no backfill of the military construction funds taken for the President’s border wall,

  • Authorizing $8.4 billion in military construction projects to fortify critical infrastructure and base realignment and closure clean up. 

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Rep. Lou Correa represents California's 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.