WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) voted in favor of H.R. 4435, the “National Defense Authorization Act,” (NDAA) which passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan 325-98 vote.

“This bipartisan bill is good for San Diego and protects the military assets that are a key driver for our regional economy,” Rep. Peters said. “I’m proud to move forward bringing money to San Diego that will fund a top defense priority, 20 UAV MQ-9s, which support jobs in my district.”

Two weeks ago, Rep. Peters helped pass the bill in the House Armed Services Committee. In that debate Rep. Peters sponsored an amendment, which was adopted by the committee and included in the bill, that prevented the Department of Defense from taking over firefighting efforts and support aircraft, C-130s, that have long been operated by the California National Guard and the Governor. 

Congressman Peters also led a successful effort to transfer $120 million that had been unnecessarily appropriated to a dead project in South Carolina, a so-called ‘zombie earmark,’ to instead pay for 8 additional Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) MQ-9s that were an unfunded priority of the Air Force. These UAVs are developed in Poway, CA, and support high-skilled jobs in the 52nd District.

Today’s NDAA also included a pay raise for servicemembers and prevents cuts to commissaries. Additionally, the legislation also included provisions to promote women-owned small business in the contracting process and to improve DOD mental health and suicide prevention programs.

In addition, Rep. Peters offered the motion to re-commit, a final amendment to the bill, which would have prohibited gender discrimination in combat, prohibited baggage fees for combat troops on deployment, investigated a student loan scam against servicemembers and veterans, and barred defense contracts to companies that don’t provide a minimum wage of $10.10 or companies that don’t provide equal pay for equal work. During the motion, Congressman Peters thanked HASC Chairman Buck McKeon (CA-25) for his commitment to bipartisanship, which received a standing ovation from the Chamber as Rep. McKeon shepherded his last NDAA toward completion.

The motion was ultimately defeated 194-227. Watch Congressman Peters speak about his motion below or click HERE:

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