Rep. Schrier’s Priorities to Help Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families Pass the House with Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. The NDAA is Congress’ bill to maintain military readiness and increase national security. The legislation includes Rep. Schrier’s amendment to improve child care for families of servicemembers so they can be dependably service-ready. It now heads to the Senate and then the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“This bill provides key investments to strengthen national security, support those who protect our country, and help defend Ukrainian democracy. Families across the country continue to feel squeezed by rising costs, and I’m glad that the bill will raise pay and benefits for servicemembers,” said Rep. Schrier. “The brave men and women who work tirelessly to protect our country have earned these benefits.”

Rep. Schrier’s amendment will help improve military families’ access to child care. The Congresswoman worked with Washington State Military Family Childcare Workgroup, composed of representatives from the Department of Defense, military installations, Child Care Aware of Washington, Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington, YMCA of Washington, local school districts, and child care providers, on this amendment to help expand quality child care access for military families. “Child care costs and access are the last thing our servicemembers should have to be concerned with,” Rep. Schrier continued. “Increased data transparency will enable our partners at the state identify barriers and gaps in coverage to ensure our servicemembers and their families have access to affordable care.”

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023:

• Raises pay for servicemembers and civilians by 4.6%
• Increases the Basic Allowance for Housing by 2% for servicemembers and their families
• Provides additional support and assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces
• Extends the National Guard support to fight wildfires until 2029
• Allows the Department of Defense (DoD) to transfer aircraft to other departments to aid in search and rescue operations or emergency operations related to wildfires
• Strengthens the domestic supply chain for critical elements of microelectronics production
• Creates a pilot program focused on semiconductors in the National Defense Stockpile
• Boosts the number of available military civilian behavioral health providers
• Requires the DoD to implement recommendations for the timely clean-up of formerly used defense sites

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