Key Hassan-Backed Provisions Included in Senate’s Annual Defense Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) helped secure key bipartisan provisions in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA).

“This year, we have seen a range of threats that risk the safety and security of the American people, from Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to ongoing challenges with our supply chains – our bill comes at critical time for our nation’s defense,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad that the upcoming defense bill includes bipartisan priorities that I have pushed for, including cracking down on illicit drug traffickers in order to combat the opioid epidemic, strengthening security for houses of worship, and closing loopholes that allow Putin to fund his unconscionable war. As the Senate and House work together to get this bill done, I will continue to push for critical measures that support New Hampshire’s military institutions and that fortify our national security.”

Key measures that Senator Hassan championed that are included in the Senate NDAA:

• Cracking Down on Drug Traffickers: Bipartisan bill which Senator Hassan introduced to authorize in law the existing Transnational Criminal Investigative Units, which help identify gang members and drug dealers, and collect and share intelligence on transnational criminal organizations;
• Protecting Houses of Worship: Bipartisan bill which Senator Hassan introduced to establish a federal clearinghouse through which faith-based organizations and houses of worship could access information on safety and security best practices, available federal grant programs, and training opportunities;
• Supporting Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: Authorizing funding to procure Virginia-class submarines that will be maintained at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard;
• Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains: Bipartisan bill, which Senator Shaheen introduced and Senator Hassan worked to advance, to bolster the domestic supply chain for national security-related items and increase the government’s capacity to supply these critical materials that the Department of Homeland Security needs;
• Sanctioning Russia: Bipartisan bill, which Senator Hassan introduced, to sanction the purchase of Russian gold as part of ongoing efforts to stand up to Putin;
• Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations: A bill, which Senator Hassan helped to advance, to extend the creation and operation of Joint Task Forces to combat transnational criminal organizations, enforce immigration laws, and coordinate border security efforts.

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