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Congressman Kim Passes Pay Raise for Troops, Support for Joint Base in National Defense Bill

December 11, 2019

Congressman Kim Passes Pay Raise for Troops,
Support for Joint Base in National Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report for Fiscal Year 2020 by a bipartisan majority. The bill included key elements introduced by Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) which will directly help New Jersey families and includes a pay raise for service members. The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law.

"For people in Burlington and Ocean Counties, the defense budget isn't just something that happens in Washington, it's something that impacts their daily lives. That's why I'm proud to have passed significant priorities for our communities that will make a real impact for New Jersey," said Congressman Kim. "Our service members at the Joint Base will see a pay raise and their spouses will see more economic opportunities. Our surrounding communities will see more jobs and safer water. And our state will be better prepared for the next Superstorm. I'm proud to have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and look forward to seeing this signed into law."

Congressman Kim served as a conferee to the bicameral conference committee on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. He was one of three Democratic freshmen named by House leadership to this position. The negotiated NDAA conference report passed by the House:

  • Provides a 3.1 percent increase in military pay for all military service members.
  • Provides 12 weeks in paid family leave for federal employees.
  • Provides additional direction for ending the use of PFAS chemicals by the military.
  • Phases out and eliminates the Widow's Tax, which unfairly reduces payments to families of fallen service members.

Congressman Kim successfully fought to include several key provisions in the NDAA that will directly impact people in New Jersey's Third District. Those measures include:

  • Funding for New Jobs in Burlington County: Congressman Kim secured $40.2 million in funding for the HELIOS laser program which will create dozens of good-paying jobs in Burlington County.
  • Ending the Use of Dangerous PFAS Chemicals: Congressman Kim passed language that will force the Department of Defense to phase out the use of harmful PFAS chemicals by 2024. These chemicals impact groundwater in communities like those around Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
  • Increased Access to Job Training and Licensing for Military Spouses: With unemployment for active duty spouses at more than six times higher than the national rate, Congressman Kim passed language that would make more military spouses eligible for funding for job training and relicensing to make it easier for them to find work.
  • Protections for Military Reservists and Patriotic Small Business Owners: Congressman Kim successfully incorporated The Patriotic Employer Protection Act, H.R. 3661, into the NDAA. The bill strengthens programs to protect Military Reservists and their small business employers from the uncertainty of unexpected deployments. This is especially important at bases like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst that have a large number of Reservists.
  • Making our Joint Base Ready for the Next Superstorm: Congressman Kim included a provision that requires the Department of Defense to hold "Black Start" exercises on Joint Bases such as McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, increasing its readiness for extreme weather events and cyber attacks.

"The Drinking Water Coalition, NJ's lead organization for publicly owned utilities and authorities, is grateful to Congressman Kim for advancing the discussion on these very dangerous PFAS contaminants to actionable steps," said Michael Drulis, Director of the Drinking Water Coalition of New Jersey, commenting on the Congressman's efforts to end the use of PFAS chemicals on military facilities. "This work is long overdue and much needed for New Jersey' public health and water utilities. We are confident that this type of leadership will lead to additional reforms and provide safer drinking water through the elimination of these man-made contaminants. The Drinking Water Coalition of NJ and its members and partners stand with the Congressman and his colleagues on this important issue."

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities.