House Passes Annual Defense Bill with Provisions for National Guard, Terrorism, and Lead-Free Drinking Water in Military Base Schools

Strategic Insights -

The US House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes provisions authored by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) to support the National Guard, combat terrorism, and ensure lead-free drinking water in military base schools. The bill also includes a pay raise for troops and care for Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House passed a bipartisan defense bill that includes three amendments introduced by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) to support the National Guard and Reserves, combat terrorism, and protect military families.
  • The bill includes provisions to:

+ Combate foreign terrorist organizations' use of social media to spread extremist propaganda, with a report to Congress on the use of social media by foreign terrorist organizations.

+ Provide at least 14 days of housing for members of the Reserve Components ordered to active service in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.

+ Publicize the results of drinking water testing at Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) facilities on military bases and provide lead-free drinking water to impacted military families.

  • Gottheimer's amendments were passed as part of the Conference Report for the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
  • The bill also includes bipartisan language to help care for Vietnam Veterans exposed to the toxic herbicide Agent Orange.

Statistics:

  • 14 days: The minimum housing duration for members of the Reserve Components ordered to active service in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.
  • 2: The number of sections in the conference agreement related to social media use by foreign terrorist organizations.
  • 1: The number of reports to Congress required on the use of social media by foreign terrorist organizations.
  • FY 2021: Fiscal Year 2021 for which the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement was passed.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) RELEASE: House Passes Annual Defense Bill Including Gottheimer Provisions to Provide National Guard COVID-19 Quarantine Lodging, Combat Terrorism on Social Media, and Disclose Lead in Drinking Water in Military Base Schools
  • MIL OSI USA News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)
  • Contify.com