Congressman Al Green Thanks Colleagues for Supporting his Six Amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023

(Washington, D.C.) — On Thursday, July 14, 2022, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:

“I’m proud to have participated in the successful passage of H.R. 7900 - National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which authorizes over $800 billion in discretionary spending to bolster our nation’s security. I am also proud to share that the House-passed version of the 2023 NDAA includes six of my amendments which are similar to legislation that I previously introduced,” Congressman Al Green said. “The 2023 NDAA – which passed the House by a 329-101 vote – is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress works on each year to ensure the United States is well equipped to handle an array of challenges; at home and abroad.”

“My first amendment is H.R. 3702 (116^th) - Reforming Disaster Recovery Act. H.R. 3702 (116^th) would permanently authorize the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The CDBG-DR program provides states, tribes, and communities with flexible, long-term recovery resources needed to rebuild affordable housing, as well as infrastructure after a disaster. It streamlines the process by which victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey can obtain relief. This amendment will help ensure that victims of natural disasters across America are not left behind.”

“My second amendment to the NDAA is H.R. 39 – Honoring our WWII Merchant Mariners of 2021. H.R. 39 allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute a discretionarily funded, one-time payment of $25,000 to U.S. Merchant Marines who engaged in qualified service during World War II. Until 1988, the government refused to recognize Merchant Mariners as Veterans. To this day, they have never received full Veteran benefits. This lack of rightfully earned compensation led to missed opportunities in their youth, including not being able to receive an education, purchase a home, or build equity. My amendment would attempt to rectify this historic injustice.”

“My third amendment included in the 2023 NDAA is H.R. 165 – Improving Access to Homes for Heroes Act of 2021. H.R. 165 requires public housing agencies to consider the housing needs of Veterans when creating their annual plans and housing strategies, the latter in consultation with agencies that serve Veterans. It also requires the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to report annually on its activities relating to Veterans. My amendment will help resolve the Veteran homelessness crisis our nation is facing. Our service members make unthinkable sacrifices in the name of our freedom and should not have to suffer the adversities that accompany a lack of shelter. This is the least a grateful nation can do.”

“My final three amendments are H.R. 5251 – Honoring Military Service in Homebuying Act of 2021, H.R. 4349 – Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act, and H.R.4619 - To Amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to Prohibit Trading Ahead by Market Makers. H.R. 5251 would require housing enterprises to include a military service question on the Universal Residential Loan Application in a prominent position on the form. H.R. 4349 would improve accountability, transparency, as well as responsiveness at the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties by giving the office more input in the DHS policymaking process, including more power to investigate potential civil rights and civil liberties abuses. Lastly, H.R.4619 amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit trading ahead by market makers.”

Congressman Al Green concluded, “I am grateful to my colleagues in the House for supporting the inclusion of my amendments in the 2023 NDAA and will be equally as grateful to my colleagues in the Senate should this bill pass. I am proud of what this legislative package does to fortify the servicemembers, technologies, processes, as well as infrastructure that make up the backbone of our nation, and I look forward to working with the Senate to create a truly bicameral product.”