On the recordDecember 8, 2022
This NDAA moves us forward in reforming the military justice system. We took sexual assault out of the chain of command last year in the NDAA. This year, we take sexual harassment out of the chain, and we require trained investigators who will investigate cases outside the brigade. Both are critical for the safety of military personnel because sexual harassment begets sexual assault. Suicide in the military is a crisis. This year, I visited bases in Alaska twice that were hit hard by suicide deaths. This bill expands the military and civilian behavioral health workforce. It authorizes cold-weather pay and offers each servicemember stationed in Alaska a paid trip home in 2023. We need to increase the pay of military childcare center workers. We have 19,000 families on waiting lists and are only using a third of the capacity in our facilities. This bill provides for a study. I hope we will do the right thing and make sure that these childcare providers are making more than those who are flipping burgers at the local restaurant. This bill also preserves crucial leave and paid travel for servicewomen who must go to another State to receive an abortion. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this measure. I thank my committee and the personal staff.
