Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08) released the following statement after voting in support of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act:
“Providing for our nation’s defense is Congress’ most important duty, and the NDAA has passed with bipartisan support for the past 59 years,” said Congressman Brady.
“In addition to securing a much-deserved pay raise for our men and women in uniform, this NDAA will strengthen our defenses against Russia and China, offer more mental healthcare resources for veterans, and protect America’s supply chain and critical research. While our nation continues to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that our Military has the tools and funding necessary to defend the United States against our adversaries.”
“In addition to securing a much-deserved pay raise for our men and women in uniform, this NDAA will strengthen our defenses against Russia and China, offer more mental healthcare resources for veterans, and protect America’s supply chain and critical research. While our nation continues to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that our Military has the tools and funding necessary to defend the United States against our adversaries.”
Background: The NDAA conference report for FY2021...
- Ensures service members have the diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities and PPE they need, along with providing medical surge capacity in certain healthcare facilities; and it provides health benefits to members of the National Guard that supported the COVID-19 response.
- Initiates mental healthcare reforms for service-members, family members and retirees and seeks to improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs in the Department of Defense.
- Contains efforts to improve U.S. coordination and information sharing to combat international human trafficking and reauthorizes a stronger, survivor-led, U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.
- Includes a requirement for a Presidential assessment on how to deter Chinese industrial espionage and large-scale cyber theft of intellectual property and personal information.
- Carries protections on the defense industrial base and supply chain, federal investments in science and technology, and critical defense technologies from foreign adversaries
- Prohibits future administrations from implementing any activity that recognizes the sovereignty of Russia over Crimea and extends the limitation on military cooperation between the United States and Russia.
- Includes additional reforms designed to improve reporting, improve and protect the rights of victims, and provide for more effective responses for sex-related offenses.
