Members of California’s Republican congressional delegation applauded provisions included in a fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report that would protect California National Guard bonuses.
U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Mimi Walters (R-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) also praised a 2.1 percent increase in troop pay that was included in the House-approved fiscal year 2017 NDAA conference report.
“Protecting our nation is our first and most important responsibility,” Issa said.
“The bill we passed today ensures that our troops, including the 43,000 Marines here at Camp Pendleton, have the tools, support and funding they need to take the fight to the enemy and win. It provides the biggest pay raise our troops have seen in six years, provides funding to modernize our military installations around the globe, improves military readiness and ensures our troops are better prepared to accomplish their missions swiftly, safely and effectively. It’s a huge boost for both our troops and the nation as a whole,” Issa said.
But most importantly, Issa added, the bill would provide an important legislative fix for members of the California National Guard who were asked to repay enlistment bonuses that they earned. Any soldier who has already repaid the bonus money would be refunded and have their credit restored under the bill. The Department of Defense would have to prove that those who accepted monies did so inappropriately.
“After serving our country valiantly, our nation’s heroes shouldn’t be forced to suffer for government’s bureaucratic mistakes. This will hopefully be a huge sigh of relief for these soldiers, many of whom have had their life savings raided and their credit ruined as they worked to pay back bonuses they should be able to keep,” Issa said.
Walters noted that in addition to providing for a strong national defense, the approved NDAA conference report would protect men and women of the California National Guard who were unfairly forced to repay bonuses.
“The NDAA also provides all members of our military with a well-deserved 2.1 percent pay increase, more than the president requested,” Walters added. “It also improves access to healthcare for our current service members, veterans and their families and takes several necessary steps to prevent sexual assault in the military by improving the reporting process and enhancing victims’ rights,” she said.
Calvert said he was pleased Congress worked together to find a bipartisan solution to fix the bonus payment collection problem.
Additionally, Calvert advocated for a $32 million NDAA authorization to restore autism care reimbursement rate levels under TRICARE.
“California was disproportionately impacted by the change in TRICARE autism reimbursement rates so I am pleased that the conference report included this vital language and funding authorization,” Calvert said. “Military families that face the challenge of raising a child with autism deserve our full support. The Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration program provides critical resources for families caring for a child with autism.”