Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which approves defense-related funding levels and sets policy for the coming year. Yesterday, Peters presided over a portion of the debate and votes on the NDAA to underscore his commitment to our military men, women, and families as well as the significance of the defense spending bill to the San Diego region.

“San Diego is a proud Navy town and Official Coast Guard City and our success is largely driven by our servicemen and women and our strategic role in the national defense. I voted for this bill because it gives our servicemembers a much-deserved pay increase, invests in our community, and charts a responsible course forward for our country. Defense and related industries drive one-fifth of San Diego’s economy and this bill will boost our region’s economy and create jobs. It also includes my amendment that ensures servicemembers have the mental health support they need from family and friends through a network of support model. I urge my colleagues on the conference committee to include these House-approved priorities in the final bill,” said Rep. Peters.

San Diego priorities authorized by this NDAA are:  

• Funding for a daycare on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which Rep. Peters advocated for during the funding process
• A 3.1 percent pay raise for our military
• $11.4 billion for military construction and family housing, including the following funding levels for installations in San Diego:
  • $185.5 million for Camp Pendleton
  • $37.4 million for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
  • $165.8 million for Naval Base Coronado
  • $9.9 million for Naval Base San Diego
• A new temporary housing benefit for high-cost areas where adequate government-provided quarters are not available
• The creation of a tenants’ bill of rights for military housing residents
• $11 billion for missile defense systems, critical for protecting the West Coast from possible threats from across the Pacific
• Calls for a study on how to better coordinate care between Department of Defense and Veterans Administration medical facilities, including a study of the San Diego region
• Requires the Department of Defense to create a comprehensive mental health strategy for servicemembers to address high rates of veteran suicide

The bill includes an amendment Rep. Peters offered to create a pilot program that would establish networks of support for servicemembers and their families to prevent veteran suicide; the amendment is based on bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by Rep. Peters earlier this year.

Rep. Peters also introduced and passed another amendment to allow surprise inspections of migrant detention facilities on military facilities in the event that asylum seekers awaiting processing are housed on Department of Defense property. This amendment is similar to a bill that Rep. Peters introduced earlier.

The House and Senate will meet to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions and develop final language for the NDAA. That final version will go before both chambers again, before being sent to the president. Rep. Peters has supported every NDAA since becoming a member of Congress, including last year’s Fiscal Year 2019 bill.