Key Draft of Major Defense Bill Includes Kilmer-backed Initiatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A key draft of a major defense bill released yesterday includes many initiatives pushed for by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06). The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) contains proposals from Rep. Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, to encourage the use of innovative timber projects by the military and make coordination easier for cyber and information technology ranges in the Department of Defense (DOD), among other items.
Representative Buck McKeon (CA-26), Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, released a Chairman’s Mark of the NDAA last week. This draft was taken up by subcommittees and will be considered by the full House Armed Services Committee on May 7, 2014. The NDAA sets funding levels, expenditures, and other authorizations for the Department of Defense.
“Today, we are moving forward with a bipartisan bill that helps ensure we have the best trained and equipped fighting force in the world while honoring our commitment to the men and women who serve and their families,” said Representative Kilmer. “This legislation supports our continued pivot to Asia as well by making the needed investments to ensure that America’s Navy continues to play a key role in that mission. As discussion continues on this bill, I’m proud to fight for provisions that provide needed support for the Navy and the rest of our nation’s military, maximize our cyber capabilities to boost defense and jobs, and encourage the military to invest in innovative timber products. In the months ahead I will push for these and other measures so we end up with strongest possible defense bill.”
Kilmer also worked with his colleagues on the committee to continue key investments in the United States Navy. The draft legislation maintains a fleet of 11 aircraft carriers while fully funding the Ohio-class submarine replacement program. Kilmer also joined with members of the committee to fight for a provision that fully funds two fast attack nuclear-powered submarines a year.
Kilmer successfully fought to secure more than $120 million for construction projects at local military installations in the draft NDAA. Those include updating water treatment systems at Naval Base Kitsap, continuing the construction of the explosives handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, and improvements to the Navy’s Forward Operation Location in Port Angeles. Adequate and timely funding for these projects will help the military continue its national security mission and ensure military construction projects are in compliance with environmental and safety standards.
Washington State’s 6th District is home to more than 25,000 active duty and reserve service members, along with more than 50,000 veterans and their families. Naval Base Kitsap, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and many other important facilities and vessels are located in the 6th District. Many residents (both civilian and servicemembers) also work at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) - Washington State’s third largest employer.
Kilmer’s cyber range initiative would require the DOD to begin specific improvements to the way cyber ranges are managed across the agency. Cyber ranges are networks used by DOD military, civilian, and contractor personnel for a variety of actions – including training for combat situations and researching new technology breakthroughs.
The draft NDAA also includes Kilmer’s call for DOD to utilize innovative building materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) for construction. The use of CLT could help reduce future building costs, improve environmental impact, strengthen structures in the face of seismic disturbances, and revitalize our nation’s timber industry. Representative Kilmer worked with environmental groups, timber producers, land owners, and green building advocates to draft a provision that was included in the committee report to encourage the DOD to use innovative building materials like Cross Laminated Timber.
Rep. Kilmer also successfully fought to include the following provisions in the Chairman’s Mark of the NDAA:
- Sustaining Graduate Medical Education at Naval Hospital Bremerton: The Navy has proposed reductions at Naval Hospital Bremerton, an institution used by many local veterans and Navy personnel. The NDAA includes language to maintain the level of physicians enrolled in the Navy’s graduate medical education program currently based at Bremerton.
- Freeing Digital Spectrum to Power Innovation: Private businesses are increasingly interested in obtaining additional spectrum to increase broadband access and improve services for consumers. The DOD reserves a large amount of spectrum that could be used by the private market if made available. A provision backed by Kilmer in the NDAA would encourage the department to utilize prizes to encourage the DOD to identify the best approaches to freeing up spectrum.
- Making it Easier for Veteran’s to Access Records: Veterans of the National Guard have faced setbacks when trying to access their complete service records. The NDAA authorizes a study by the Government Accountability Office to examine the problem.
- Supporting defense-related small businesses: The government requires that large companies who win defense contracts use small businesses for subcontract work on the projects. Representative Kilmer, working with other members, was able to maintain a provision that allows large businesses to reduce overhead costs associated with complying with the government small business reporting requirements.
Representative Kilmer was also successful in obtaining a provision concerning the stability of the Department of the Army’s procurement of cold weather gear and the need for stability in order to maintain the industrial capability to produce this gear domestically.
- Expanding 21st Century IT systems: Information Technology is growing in its importance to military strength. In order to maintain our edge Representative Kilmer worked on two IT provisions that have been included in the NDAA. With Representative Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts, Representative Kilmer was able to advocate for the use of commercial cloud solutions that could result in cost savings and quality improvements. Additionally, Representative Kilmer was successful in obtaining a provision that encourages the expanded use of supercomputers to aid research, development, test and engineering efforts.
- Improving the Regulatory Process: Representative Kilmer was successful in securing a provision that would require a study looking into the root causes of DOD actions to establish regulations that provide industry an opportunity to comment before they are finalized.
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