Sánchez secures legislation to support servicemembers, votes for final passage of the 2023 NDAA

December 8, 2022
Press Release

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) voted for final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, legislation that will deliver pay increases for servicemembers and serve as the foundation of the United States’ national security policy.  

Congresswoman Sánchez secured passage of three provisions she authored in the bill to examine veterans’ access to housing and supportive services, combat misinformation around the globe, and address disruption to community parks and recreation facilities caused by dam safety construction at the Whittier Narrows Dam in the 38th Congressional District.  

"As our nation confronts growing threats to democracy, both at home and abroad, we must take action to keep America safe and secure. That is why I am proud to vote for the 2023 NDAA today,” said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. “This legislation will help improve our military technology, strengthen our alliances, and most importantly, support our servicemembers and their families. I am glad to have secured three provisions in this package, and I am proud to send it to President Biden’s desk for his signature.” 

Congresswoman Sánchez continued: “As one of the newly-elected Vice Presidents of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I am proud to help lead much of our Alliance's work promoting peace and democratic values around the globe. One of my amendments to the NDAA will do just that, countering misinformation while educating the public on the importance of NATO.” 

In addition to serving as Vice President of the North Atlantic Treaty Association (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly (PA), Congresswoman Sánchez was also recently appointed Chairperson of the Committee on Democracy and Security.  

Congresswoman Sánchez secured the following amendments in the final version of the FY 2023 NDAA: 

  1. Sec. 5113: Requires the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue a report on how often and what type of supportive services are being offered to and used by veterans. As part of her ongoing efforts to address veteran homelessness in California and across the country, Congresswoman Sánchez’s amendment specifically requires the report to include data on how many veterans fall back into housing insecurity after receiving supportive services.  

  1. Sec. 5599E: States that the United States should prioritize working with other democracies and NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly to counter misinformation and disinformation while educating the public on the importance of NATO.  

  1. Sec. 8213: Directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study any excess federal land surrounding the Whittier Narrows Dam that could be transferred to the City of Pico Rivera, California for the replacement of recreational facilities adversely impacted by dam safety construction activities.  

The FY 2023 NDAA includes several provisions Congresswoman Sánchez supported to increase pay for servicemembers, promote American leadership across the globe, and more, including: 

  • Providing a 4.6 percent pay raise for servicemembers, which will help ease the sting of inflation. Additionally, the bill empowers the Pentagon to raise the basic housing allowance, bringing down food prices by directing more funding to commissaries, and expanding support for child care. 

  • Promoting American leadership in the global arena by investing in our alliances and partnerships. The NDAA ensures that America and our allies maintain a military edge: delivering more than $11 billion in funding for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, more than $6 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative, and an additional $800 million in funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. 

  • Supporting our growing domestic semiconductor industry by requiring government contractors to use exclusive semiconductor chips that were made in America. This will help create good-paying American jobs, secure our supply chains, and bolster our economic competitiveness on the world stage. 

  • Strengthening our fight against sexual harassment in the military by requiring independently trained investigators outside the immediate chain of command to investigate sexual harassment and placing it under the jurisdiction of the Special Trial counsel. 

  • Securing significant investments in clean energy and energy efficiency at the Department of Defense, harnessing solar and electric technologies to ensure that our defense facilities and vehicle fleets are resilient to climate disaster and energy disruptions. 

Congresswoman Sánchez helped pass an earlier version of the FY 2023 NDAA in July. Following negotiations in both the House and the Senate, the finalized package now heads to President Biden for his signature. 

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Issues: 
National Security and Foreign Policy, Veterans