US House Rep Susan Davis' office issued the following today:
Washington, June 13, 2019
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) had a number of
amendments passed by the House Armed Services Committee during the
marathon markup session for the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA). These amendments were in addition to measures Davis had included
in the base bill for the NDAA. The NDAA was approved by the committee
early Thursday morning, clearing the bill for the House floor.
“My amendments will improve our military, provide critical
benefits to our men and women in uniform, and help with recruitment and
retention,” said Davis. “I want to thank my colleagues on the committee for joining with me in support of these provisions.”
The following Davis Amendments were passed by the House Armed Services Committee:
Apprenticeships - Apprenticeships are an incredible chance
for people to earn while they learn. Davis’s amendment requires a good
faith effort to have military construction contractors use apprentices.
Absentee Ballots - The amendment allows military and
overseas voters to track and confirm the receipt of their ballots just
passed in the House Armed Services Committee. Those fighting to defend
our freedoms and democracy deserve to know their votes have been
counted.
Wildfires - Early detection of wildfires can be a matter of
life or death. The Davis Amendment would require the Department of
Defense to look at using space-based sensors to assist with the early
detection of wildfires.
Family Leave - Military parents are currently prohibited
from taking maternity and paternity leave consecutively. Davis’s
amendment removes this prohibition. Military families deserve the
flexibility of taking leave when it works for them.
Sexual Trauma - The physical trauma from a sexual assault
can require health care attention well after the assault. Davis would
require the Department of Defense to study the feasibility of providing
healthcare coverage for sexual trauma victims regardless of their
military status.
The following provisions were included by Davis in the base bill of the NDAA prior to the committee markup:
Improvements to Child Care for Members of the Armed Forces -
Authorizes financial assistance to civilian child care providers who
care for the children of survivors of members who die in the line of
duty and to expand direct hiring authority for child care providers.
Comprehensive Policy for Provision of Mental Health Care to
Members of the Armed Forces - Directs the Secretary of Defense to
develop and implement a comprehensive policy of mental health care to
members of the Armed Forces.
Tijuana Sewage Runoff Impact to Readiness - In last year’s
NDAA, Davis added language directing the Navy to look at the national
security impact of sewage runoff for Navy SEAL training at the future
site for a SEAL training facility. When scheduled training corresponds
with sewage spills or discharges, military personnel may be exposed to
untreated sewage with consequences to their health.
In a follow up to
the Navy’s written report, Davis included language directing the Navy
to brief the House Armed Services Committee on readiness impacts of
Tijuana sewage runoff in waters adjacent to military installations.
Protecting the Rights of Sexual Assault Survivors - Davis
included language to the goal of expanding the rights of military sexual
assault survivors, which directs theSecretary of Defense to issue
guidance to ensure that sexual assault victims' preference for
prosecution jurisdiction is recorded.
Preventing Witness Tampering in Military Judicial
Proceedings - To ensure a more equitable and fair judicial proceedings
in the military justice system, Davis included a provision to prohibit
convening authorities and commanding officers from interfering with
access and influencing witnesses.
Extension and Expansion of Defense Advisory Committee on
Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed
Forces Davis included a section to extend the Defense Advisory Committee
on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault (DAC-IPAD)
for an additional fiveyears andexpands the committee’s role to look at
military justice reforms.
Expansion of Special Victims' Counsel for Victims of
Sex-Related or Domestic Violence Offenses - The Special Victims' Counsel
program will cover eligible domestic violence victims and require a
report to the Committee on how the military services are meeting Special
Victims' Counsel program requirements.
Notification of the Issuance of a Military Protective Order
to Civilian Law Enforcement - Unit commanders must notify civilian
authorities of the issuance of a military protective order against a
member of the Armed Forces and would require unit commanders to notify a
receiving unit of the issuance of a military protective order in the
event a member is transferred to another unit.
Guidelines on Sentences for Offenses Committed under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice - The Secretary of Defense must
establish non-binding sentencing guidelines for offenses under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, taking into account sentencing data
collected by the Military Justice Review Panel.
Support for Women in the Afghanistan Security Forces Davis
included a provision to set a goal of using $45.5 million to support the
efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to promote the recruitment,
training, integration, and retention of Afghan women into the Afghan
National Defense and Security Forces.
This represents a key step to assure that peace and
security processes do not overlook the inclusion of women, a critical
strategy that research has shown reduces conflict. The NDAA sets a goal
of using $45.5 million to support the efforts of the Government of
Afghanistan to promote the recruitment, training, integration, and
retention of Afghan women into the Afghan National Defense and Security
Forces.
During consideration of the NDAA, Davis will build on these successes by offering a series of amendments.