WASHINGTON - Led by Chairman Joe Heck (R-NV) and Ranking Member Susan Davis (D-CA), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee for Military Personnel today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, April 20th in Rayburn 2212. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page. The Military Personnel mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark.
The Military Personnel proposal is a vital part of the NDAA, supporting and protecting our warfighters with the care and benefits they need, deserve, and have earned. Specifically, this year's proposal will:
Mandate and fully fund a pay raise for troops;
Reform the Commissary system in a way that preserves this valuable benefit, while also improving the system so it remains a good value for the shoppers, a good value for the taxpayer dollars invested within it, and can continue to support morale, welfare, and recreational activities;
Reverse ongoing reductions to the end strength of the Armed Forces in FY 17;
Modernize the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to improve the system’s efficiency and transparency, while also enhancing victims’ rights. The mark also expands the statute of limitations for child abuse offenses and fraudulent enlistment. In addition, it establishes new offenses concerning issues ranging from improper use of government computers to retaliation to prohibited activities with military recruits and trainees by a person in a position of special trust.
Restore the inurnment rights for Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) at Arlington National Cemetery, which were rescinded by the Secretary of the Army. The mark incorporates the bipartisan WASP Arlington Inurnment Restoration (AIR) Act, which passed the full House in March.