Big Wins for the Pikes Peak Region in NDAA

"I was happy to vote YES for the FY20 NDAA conference report. This is a very solid defense bill which strengthens our national defense, continues to rebuild and modernize our forces, and improves the quality of life for our wonderful men and women in uniform and their families.

"Like many of my colleagues, I couldn't vote for the bill when it passed on the House floor because the large amount of partisan nonsense jammed into it which had nothing to do with defense. However, after a tough and lengthy negotiation process between the House, Senate, and White House, this conference report now represents a pro-defense bill that will massively improve our military's ability to deter, confront, and defeat current and future threats.

"I was especially pleased to include the 3.1% pay raise for our troops: the largest in a decade. Equally important to me were the reforms and fixes to the privatized Military Family Housing program we enacted in the Readiness Subcommittee. With our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and their noble families occupied with years of sacrifice in service to our nation, the last thing they deserve is having their homes serve as a point of stress and discomfort rather than a sanctuary where they may relax and nurture a family. To this end, we have enacted reforms to this program by establishing a Tenants' Bill of Rights, requiring each of the military departments to develop a formal dispute resolution process, reinforcing Government oversight, and requiring new quality control measures for repairs and mold remediation.

"Additionally, the $148 million authorized to begin construction of the Combine Space Operations Facility at Schriever Air Force Base in FY20 will serve as the beating heart our nation's space warfighting enterprise. Most significantly, this bill creates the United States Space Force-the first time since 1947 that our nation has created a new military Service. This new Service, designed to maintain America's dominance in space, will be carved out of Air Force Space Command. With U.S. Space Command established in Colorado Springs earlier this year, and the bulk of the Space Force personnel currently serving on Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases, this NDAA solidifies our community's position as the premier defense space community of the United States.

"I was not simply comfortable voting yes for this defense bill-I was eager to vote for its passage and look forward to the exciting implications it has for the Pikes Peak region."

A full summary of the conference report can be found here.

The House GOP's summary can be found here.

The full language of the conference report can be found here.

The FY20 NDAA Contains:

Total Funding:

• $738 billion base + OCO
• $5.3 billion for emergency MILCON funding natural disaster relief
• $743.3 billion total

Military Construction for Pike's Peak Region:

• $148 million: Combined Space Operations Facility (CSOF) on Schriever AFB
• $54 million: SOCNORTH on Peterson AFB
• $49 million: cadet prep dormitories on USAFA
• $71 million: company operations facilities on Fort Carson

Policy provisions:

• 3.1% pay raise for troops; includes special pay and bonuses
• Privatized Military Family Housing provisions includes:
  • Establishment of a Tenant Bill of Rights that sets minimum acceptable livability standards
  • Requirement for better communication between Services, providers, and tenants
  • Addresses establishment of a formal dispute resolution process
  • Bans the use of non-disclosure agreements as a condition of moving out of military housing
  • Enhances protections against reprisal.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• Doubling licensure reimbursement for military spouses
• Inclusion of Widow's Tax removal
• Full funding of nuclear modernization
• Prohibition on transferring GTMO detainees to the U.S.
• The NDAA addresses DOD PFAS contamination by:
  • Prohibiting non-emergency use of fire-fighting foams containing PFOS and PFOA;
  • Requiring DOD to accelerate fielding a PFAS-free replacement;
  • Allowing National Guard units to access DOD environmental funds; and
  • Requiring expedited cooperative agreements with states.