U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) -- a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense -- today released the following statement applauding the House and Senate's passage of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
"The men and women serving in our military work every day to keep us safe here at home and to defend our freedoms from threats around the world. The NDAA includes a pay raise for our troops, invests in the development of new technology, weapons and cybersecurity and provides resources to help our military families thrive. I am especially pleased that this year's NDAA included my priorities to enable women serving in the National Guard and Reserve to receive maternity leave, honor fallen Big Red One soldiers from Fort Riley, authorize a study on the causes of high unemployment rates among post-9/11 female veterans, and expand access to mental health care for servicemembers in the Guard and Reserve. I encourage President Trump to quickly sign this important legislation into law to support our troops and military."
Sen. Moran priorities included in the FY2021 NDAA:
Ensures women serving in the National Guard and Reserve of the Armed Forces are eligible to receive six weeks of maternity benefits, equal to that of their active duty counterparts.
Authorizes the names of First Infantry Division Soldiers, also known as Big Red One Soldiers, who were killed in action during Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn to be added to the First Division Monument that is located on White House grounds.
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on why post-9/11 female veterans experience higher rates of unemployment than their cohorts. Since 2009, post-9/11 female veterans experienced an average unemployment rate of 8.4 percent versus the 5.7 percent rate of all veterans.
Expands mental health care services for members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Delays the divestment of legacy KC-135 aircraft, which benefits the 190th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard.
Requires the Air Force to develop and implement a permanent solution to the KC-46's Remote Vision System.
Supports the Army's Future Vertical Lift program and increases investments in the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft.
Continues to invest in the development and production of hypersonic missiles.
Increases investments in autonomous unmanned aircraft programs, such as the Air Force's Low-Cost Attributable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) SKYBORG programs.