Richard Neal Is Working To Support U.S. Servicemembers and Military Families

Congressman Richard Neal on Tuesday voted to pass bipartisan defense legislation. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 strengthens America’s security and meets the needs of our service members, veterans, and military families.

According to a news release from the congressman's office, the robust bill bolsters pay and improves benefits for servicemembers, combats sexual assault in the military, and modernizes our defense technology.

Making our nation safer and stronger is important...

When we invest in what makes America strong – from our technology to our alliances to our men and women in uniform – we make our nation safer and stronger... The NDAA is good for residents of western and central Massachusetts and the industries we have here that help keep our government going. In addition to a 2.7 percent raise for our service members, there is more funding to support jobs and growth in our region. These include the authorization of projects that directly impact the workforce at General Dynamics in Pittsfield and Warren Pumps in Warren and the two entities will be able to retain roughly 1,500 jobs. In addition, the NDAA includes many provisions related to addressing the PFAS contamination in communities Westfield and throughout Berkshire County. The NDAA also requires that service members in the National Guard and Reserves get paid at the same rate as their active-duty counterparts for special duty pay. Westover Air Reserve Base and Barnes Air National Guard generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development and this bill will ensure they are able to continue being strong community partners. ~ Congressman Neal, Chairman of the House Committee

Here is what the FY22 NDAA looks to do:

• secures a 2.7 percent pay increase for our men and women in uniform;
• makes historic and significant changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assault and related crimes in the military;
• invests in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help build a fairer and more diverse Armed Services; and
• makes key investments to address the threat of climate change and bolster energy resiliency.