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Amata Welcomes Defense Bill with Troop Pay Raise, Pacific Security Measures and Runit Dome Report

December 12, 2019

Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. This major annual legislation authorizes Pentagon operations, a pay increase for the troops, increased survivor benefits for military families, and expanded Pacific security provisions. It requires a much-needed report on the status of the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands, which houses nuclear waste material from 67 nuclear tests conducted in the Marshall Islands before 1958.

"I'm pleased to see the House pass this important bill which includes the 3.1 percent military pay raise, which our troops deserve, and added survivor benefits for military families," said Aumua Amata. "This bill expands U.S. Pacific security measures in cooperation with friends and partners all over the region, and requires an urgently needed report on the state of the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands. It is important to stand with our friends in the Marshall Islands to ensure their safety and health in the presence of the Runit Dome."

"Decisions affecting defense and veterans have outsized effects in American Samoa, where we have a high rate of military service among our people, so I'm delighted the 2020 pay raise for the troops is secure," continued Congresswoman Amata. "This bill strengthens the focus on the entire Indo-Pacific region, and specifies by name the important relationships with our many neighboring island nations."

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With President Heine

Congresswoman Amata and Republic of the Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine.

Specifically, the NDAA requires the U.S. Secretary of Energy to submit a report on the status of the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands. It also expands survivor benefits to military families by removing an offset that has been called the "widow's tax." Eliminating this limit on survivor benefits has been a bipartisan priority. The bill also extensively lists U.S. obligations in the Pacific, and expands the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative, which provides training and support to island nations throughout the Pacific.

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Congresswoman Amata with PACOM Commander Admiral Davidson

Congresswoman Amata with Admiral Phil Davidson, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command where many American Samoans serve, at last year's Honor Carry Ceremony for repatriated remains from Korea.

Broadly, the bill provides for all Department of Defense activities, including military construction, weapons systems, equipment and training, along with the national security programs in the Department of Energy. The bill has previously passed both the House and Senate, and this final version is the conferenced agreement between the House and Senate.

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Issues:Military