What the Defense Bill Means for Texas

This week, the Senate is considering the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020.  You can read the legislation here, and below is a summary of its impact on Texas:

• Raises troops’ pay by 3.1%, the largest pay raise for our military in a decade.
• Authorizes $343 million for military construction projects in Texas, including a new powertrain facility at Corpus Christi Army Depot, a new vehicle bridge and barracks at Fort Hood, and barracks, an aquatics tank, and modernized training facilities at Joint Base San Antonio. Also provides authority for a new dining facility and air traffic control tower at Joint Base San Antonio.
• Authorizes 94 new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which are built by Texans in Fort Worth.
• Protects DOD and VA benefits of disabled veterans and their spouses from unfair bankruptcy collection.
• Facilitates absentee voting for military personnel overseas by ensuring servicemembers are provided ballots, registration cards, and instruction on how to vote in their registered state.
• Protects Texas critical infrastructure and mass transit from foreign threats.
• Allows more flexible parental leave to be taken by servicemembers.
• Prioritizes access to high quality public education for military children through increased DOD supplemental impact aid, especially for disabled military children.
• Supports working military dogs at Lackland Air Force Base by authorizing veterinary check-ups for all retiring working dogs.
• Updates the microgrid for National Guard servicemembers at Camp Swift.
• Prioritizes energy conservation with $16.5 million for Fort Hood.
• Invests in Texas students through DOD’s STARBASE program in Austin, Houston, San Angelo, and San Antonio.