Major Defense Bill Passes House with Kilmer-backed Initiatives
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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a major defense bill containing measures championed by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) cleared the House of Representatives. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) contains proposals from Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, to authorize an extension of overtime payments to civilian shipyard workers and make coordination easier for cyber and information technology ranges in the Department of Defense (DOD).
The final bill that passed the House also includes Kilmer-backed investments in key local military installations. The NDAA sets funding levels, expenditures, and other authorizations for the Department of Defense. The Senate is expected to consider the House passed bill before the end of the lame-duck session.
“The House passed a bipartisan bill important to all our servicemembers,” said Kilmer. “It helps ensure our fighting force is the best trained and equipped in the world. The legislation aids our ongoing pivot to Asia and makes critical investments in America’s Navy. As our nation faces 21st century threats, this bill also maximizes our cyber capabilities to boost defense and jobs. I urge the Senate to move quickly so we can get this to the President’s desk, strengthen our national security, and support our servicemembers.”
Kilmer led the push to extend the authorization of overtime payments for shipyard workers who conduct nuclear maintenance on the U.S. aircraft carrier stationed in Japan. Shipyard workers at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard who volunteer to go overseas currently do not have the ability to collect overtime after the authorization expired in September.
“Today sends a signal to civilian workers at our nation’s shipyards that we have their back,” said Kilmer. “Authorizing overtime for another year ensures that when they go overseas to make needed repairs they get paid the same as they would in the United States. It’s only right that when we ask workers to leave their families for four to six months to help us maintain our naval edge, we compensate them fairly. I urge my colleagues to move quickly to pass this provision as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Moving forward, I’ll continue to work on a permanent overtime fix to make sure our civilian workers are fairly treated.”
View a video of Kilmer speaking on the floor about the overtime issue here.
Kilmer also worked with his colleagues on the Armed Services committee to continue key investments in the United States Navy. The bill that passed the House maintains a fleet of 11 aircraft carriers while fully funding the Ohio-class submarine replacement program, and builds two Virginia-Class submarines a year.
Kilmer’s cyber range initiative included in the NDAA 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 in the cyber security arena.
Kilmer has sought to address concerns about cybersecurity as a member of the Armed Services committee. Last April, Kilmer spoke at a Washington state cybersecurity summit at the University of Washington Tacoma that brought together local, state, and national leaders to examine risks to electrical grid systems. He worked with Representative Niki Tsongas (MA-3) to introduce a bill directing the Comptroller General of the United States and the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense to assess the cloud security requirements of the Department of Defense.
Kilmer successfully helped secure more than $120 million for construction projects at local military installations in the bill. Those include updating water treatment systems at Naval Base Kitsap and continuing the construction of the explosives handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. 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.
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