CONGRESSMAN MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO SUPPORT AMERICA’S SERVICEMEMBERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

(Rochester, N.Y.) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. Congressman Morelle helped craft this critical legislation as a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"Ensuring the safety of our nation means ensuring our courageous servicemembers have the tools and resources they need—and that is what we provided with this year's NDAA," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "I am proud to have helped craft this important legislation that makes historic investments in support for our servicemembers and their families, including childcare and mental health resources, as well as investments in the technology necessary to keep civilians safe now and in the future. We have crafted a defense bill that truly reflects our nation's greatest strengths and I look forward to the Senate joining us in its passage."

This year's NDAA fulfills our nation's responsibility to provide the tools our military needs to address national security threats while modernizing policies that will better support our servicemembers. These include:

• Wage increases and additional benefits, such as parental leave and expanded childcare, for our service members.
• A Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) increase for military families.
• Resources to prevent military suicide and expand mental health services.
• Support for women servicemembers, including improved coverage of contraceptives and post-partum care.
• Reforms the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to combat sexual assault in the military.
• Initiatives to expand diversity within the military.
• Funding to relocate SIVs and at-risk Afghans.
• Requirements to clean up harmful PFAS chemicals and prevent further contamination of drinking water.

The first NDAA passed in 1961, making this year's legislation the 61st consecutive year the House of Representatives upheld its responsibility to support our military and protect Americans. The outlined budget totals $768 billion.

A full summary of the NDAA, provided by the House Armed Services Committee, can be found here.

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