Susan Davis: “I want to thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith; my colleague from Nevada, Dr. Heck, chair of the…”

“I want to thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith; my colleague from Nevada, Dr. Heck, chair of the subcommittee; along with the committee staff for working in a bipartisan manner to incorporate the budget changes from the Bipartisan Budget Act into the NDAA. I am pleased to see this very important bill headed back to the President so that it can be signed into law quickly. The bill includes many good provisions to improve our military. It takes important steps toward personnel reform by including recommendations from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, a key provision in the modernization of the military retirement system. As has been mentioned before--and this is very, very important, I think, for everyone--while maintaining the 20-year defined retirement, a Thrift Savings Plan is added not just for retirees, but for all servicemembers. This will positively impact the 83 percent of the Force that leaves prior to the 20-year mark. The NDAA also continues the committee's critical work towards the prevention and response to sexual assault. Although the bill allows for some pilot programs to improve health care for servicemembers and their families, we need to do more. I am pleased that Chairman Thornberry has asked the Military Personnel Subcommittee to begin working on reforming the Military Health System.…”