Costa Celebrates Full Passage of NDAA, Which Gives Pay Raise to Service Members and Honors Special Guerilla Unit Veterans

Press Release

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after Senate passage of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that provides a pay raise for service members, ensures protections for victims of sexual assault, and works to counter extremism in the military. The 2022 NDAA passed the House for a second time last week and now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. The bill also includes a bipartisan amendment led by Rep. Costa that expands eligibility for interment in national cemeteries to all members of the Special Guerilla Units who fought in support of the United States during the Vietnam War. 

"This bill invests in our ongoing commitments to our military, and in the livelihoods of those who serve and defend our freedoms, from increasing pay to making historic efforts to promote diversity in the ranks." said Rep. Costa "This bill also appropriately honors SGU veterans who fought alongside American soldiers in the Vietnam War."

The NDAA includes historic policy changes that benefit service members and their families while continuing to support the military's challenges at home and abroad. Specifically, the legislation:

Makes historic changes to the military justice system to combat sexual assault in the service
Authorizes a 2.7 percent pay increase for those currently serving
Authorizes record funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Takes steps to ensure diversity and inclusivity
Authorizes 2 weeks of paid parental bereavement leave for all federal employees 
Investments to make the Department of Defense more climate-resilient

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