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Senator Hassan Secures Key NH Priorities in Annual Defense Bill Headed to President’s Desk
Important Bipartisan Measures Included in the NDAA Include Provisions to Target Fentanyl Trafficking, Strengthen Cybersecurity, Build the Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall, and Outcompete China
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) voted today to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which included key priorities Senator Hassan introduced and championed to protect the national security of Granite Staters and all Americans.
“The number one responsibility of the government is to keep Americans safe, secure, and free - and this bipartisan package delivers on this critical priority,” Senator Hassan said. “For Granite Staters in particular, this bill includes important measures to ensure that the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard can continue its vital mission, as well as help protect New Hampshire communities from harmful PFAS chemicals. I am also pleased that the bill includes important bipartisan priorities that I have been working on to combat illegal fentanyl trafficking, strengthen cybersecurity, and build a Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall.”
Key Measures Introduced by Senator Hassan:
- Combating Fentanyl Trafficking: Senators Hassan and Pat Toomey‘s (R-PA) amendment to help stop the influx of illegal fentanyl into the United States from drug traffickers outside the United States, including China.
- Strengthening Cybersecurity: Bipartisan amendment introduced by Senators Hassan and John Cornyn (R-TX) to ensure that the National Guard can help state and local governments and businesses improve their cybersecurity.
- Establishing a Global War on Terrorism Memorial: Senators Hassan and Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) bipartisan amendment to establish a memorial to those who have served in the Global War on Terrorism on the National Mall.
- Addressing Gender Inequities in the Military: Senators Hassan and Ernst’s bipartisan amendment to eliminate the “pink tax” on women’s uniforms in the military and address out-of-pocket expenses service members pay for uniforms.
- Promoting Innovative Technologies and Outcompeting China: An amendment includes elements of a bill introduced by Senators Hassan and John Thune (R-SD) to encourage quantum research efforts that are critical to national security and economic growth.
Support for NH Military Installations:
- $475 million to support the Multi-Mission Dry Dock project at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
- Funding for the procurement of 2 Virginia-class submarines, which are maintained and repaired by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
- $130 million for industrial base development and expansion in support of the Virginia-class and Columbia-class shipbuilding programs.
- Increased funding to address PFAS contamination in military communities and continue PFAS health impact study.
Strengthening Our Military and National Security:
- A 2.7 percent pay raise for U.S. service members.
- Strengthens the Department of Defense’s suicide prevention efforts through a measure cosponsored by Senators Hassan and Shaheen.
- Critical provisions to counter Russia and China, including a measure supported by Senator Hassan to counter the rise of Russia and China by strengthening military operations in the Arctic
- Also includes measures to strengthen U.S. supply chains and prohibit Department of Defense procurement of products produced with Uyghur forced labor
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