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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2021

Contact: Brooke Lillard, [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>





Blue Dogs Back Slate of NDAA Amendments to Support U.S. Servicemembers, Counter the China’s Global Influence, Hold Foreign Adversaries Accountable, Enhance Oversight



WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition, which focuses on issues related to fiscal responsibility and national security, announced it has endorsed a slate of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These amendments include measures that would accomplish the following: 1) Strengthen support for U.S. servicemembers as they transition to civilian life; 2) Counter the Chinese’s government’s global influence and hold foreign adversaries accountable; and 3) Enhance oversight over Department of Defense (DoD) spending and programs.



This endorsement builds on the Coalition’s efforts to strengthen our nation’s defense. Earlier this year, Blue Dog Coalition leadership sent a letter<[link removed]> to the House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers, House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum, and House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Calvert, outlining the Coalition’s main priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA and Fiscal Year 2022 Department of Defense Appropriations legislation. Many of those priorities have been included in the NDAA that is anticipated to come to the House floor for a vote this week.



"This year's NDAA addresses the needs of our men and women in uniform in a changing world and provides our military the tools it needs to modernize and confront the global threats of tomorrow," said Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition’s Task Force on National Security. "I’m proud to see that the Blue Dog Coalition’s priorities have been included in the NDAA. The amendments our members are offering will further strengthen this legislation, enhance our national security, meet the current cyber threat, and ensure our military remains the most effective fighting force in the world.”



The Blue Dog Coalition-endorsed amendments would accomplish the following:



1. Strengthen Support for U.S. Servicemembers As They Transition to Civilian Life:



* Sherrill 756: Implements a pilot program to optimize services available for transitioning servicemembers and provide valuable data for future transition efforts.



* Schneider 608: Codifies the successful Boots to Business program into law. This existing program provides entrepreneurial training for servicemembers transitioning to civilian life.



1. Counter the Chinese Government’s Global Influence and Hold Foreign Adversaries Accountable:



* Case 307: Requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to report to Congress on its efforts to enhance the security partnership between the US and Indo-Pacific Countries.



* Spanberger 324: Codifies the Federal Reserve’s Financial Stability Report into law and requires the Fed to include in that report any threats or stability risks to the U.S. financial system emanating from banking institutions in China. Instructs U.S. representatives at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to strengthen international cooperation to monitor and mitigate risks to the U.S. financial system emanating from China.



* Spanberger 571: Strengthens interagency coordination and response to suspected attacks presenting as anomalous health incidents, sometimes referred to as “Havana Syndrome.” It would do so by requiring the President’s Administration to designate senior officials at the National Security Council and at relevant agencies to manage and coordinate the U.S.’s response to these attacks and report to Congress on these efforts.



1. Enhance Oversight of DoD Spending and Programs:



* Schrader 46: Requests the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to publish a report on the obligation and expenditure of funds that were authorized to be appropriated for Overseas Contingency Operations for Fiscal Year 2010 and Fiscal Year 2019.



* Bourdeaux 726: Requires the Department of Defense to issue a report on the status of its progress in implementing GAO-recommended improvements to the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, including collaboration with the Small Business Administration.



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The Blue Dog Coalition is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives comprised of fiscally-responsible Democrats, who are leading the way to find commonsense solutions. They are pragmatic Democrats, appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to pursuing fiscally-responsible policies, ensuring a strong national defense for our country, and transcending party lines to get things done for the American people. Visit our website<[link removed]> to learn more, and get the latest news updates by following us on Twitter<[link removed]> or liking us on Facebook<[link removed]>.