Stabenow Votes for Senate Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

Bill includes important priorities for Michigan, including a pay raise for our troops

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) voted in favor of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the Senate by a margin of 85-10. The bill now heads to conference with the House of Representatives.

 

“This bill makes a big investment in Michigan’s defense industry and gives a pay raise to our troops,” said Senator Stabenow. “We also made important progress towards upgrading the Soo Locks and increased support to address the growing problem of PFAS chemical contamination in Michigan and across the country. PFAS chemicals were used for decades in firefighting foams and now many communities in Michigan are uncovering alarmingly high levels of PFAS in their soil, ground, and drinking water.” 

 

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act includes important provisions to support our troops and Michigan’s defense industry, including:

 

  • A 2.6 percent pay raise for our men and women in uniform.

 

  • $144 million in funding for A-10 fighter jet wing replacement. This funding will help keep A-10s operational and support the squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

 

  • $190 million to develop a Next Generation Combat Vehicle prototype. The Detroit Arsenal in Warren, which includes TARDEC (the United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center), will develop this prototype in collaboration with defense industry stakeholders. 

 

  • Language urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite completion of an economic assessment that is needed to construct a second, Poe-sized lock at the Soo Locks. 

 

The bill also includes important provisions to address PFAS contamination, including:

 

  • Requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain a registry of veterans who may have been exposed to PFAS chemicals and to notify these veterans of developments in the study and treatment of PFAS related conditions.

 

 

  • Increasing funding to address PFAS contamination by $25 million, including $15 million for the National Guard.