Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. I wanted to let you know about a recent piece of legislation that has a big impact on the 12th District and our country. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 authorizes funding for Department of Defense personnel equipment operations and programs. The world is an increasingly dangerous place and the United States faces a number of diverse threats at home and abroad.
This bill ensures that our military is ready to combat these threats and also provides for our service members and their families. Many residents of the 12th District serve in the military or build the weapons and aircraft used to defend our freedoms. The NDAA authorizes funding for six additional Joint Strike Fighters for a total of 63 planes. It also fully funds 19 V-22s and 29 H-1 Helicopters.
In addition the bill rescinds the Presidents ability to transfer detainees from the prison at Guantanamo Bay Cuba without the approval of Congress. The detainees at Guantanamo Bay are enemy combatants who present a significant danger to the United States and our allies and the President should not be able to unilaterally decide to transfer detainees to prisons in the U.S. or into the custody of other countries.
Furthermore the Act prohibits the transfer of detainees to combat zones as was done during the Taliban 5" swap for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. As Vice-Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee I have a strong appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families. It is critical that Congress ensures that veterans and military retirees receive the benefits they have earned by virtue of their service.
The bill includes a provision allowing new service members to contribute to a portable retirement savings plan similar to a 401(k). Currently 83 of service members leave the armed forces with no retirement benefits because they have not completed 20 years of service. This provision provides all service members with retirement savings which can be transferred to their new employers retirement program.
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. I wanted to let you know about a recent piece of legislation that has a big impact on the 12th District and our country. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 authorizes funding for Department of Defense personnel equipment operations and programs. The world is an increasingly dangerous place and the United States faces a number of diverse threats at home and abroad.
This bill ensures that our military is ready to combat these threats and also provides for our service members and their families. Many residents of the 12th District serve in the military or build the weapons and aircraft used to defend our freedoms. The NDAA authorizes funding for six additional Joint Strike Fighters for a total of 63 planes. It also fully funds 19 V-22s and 29 H-1 Helicopters.
In addition the bill rescinds the Presidents ability to transfer detainees from the prison at Guantanamo Bay Cuba without the approval of Congress. The detainees at Guantanamo Bay are enemy combatants who present a significant danger to the United States and our allies and the President should not be able to unilaterally decide to transfer detainees to prisons in the U.S. or into the custody of other countries.
Furthermore the Act prohibits the transfer of detainees to combat zones as was done during the Taliban 5" swap for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. As Vice-Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee I have a strong appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families. It is critical that Congress ensures that veterans and military retirees receive the benefits they have earned by virtue of their service.
The bill includes a provision allowing new service members to contribute to a portable retirement savings plan similar to a 401(k). Currently 83 of service members leave the armed forces with no retirement benefits because they have not completed 20 years of service. This provision provides all service members with retirement savings which can be transferred to their new employers retirement program.
