Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee and FY20 NDAA Conferee, voted in favor of sweeping defense legislation. In it she secured several key wins for Massachusetts.

“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act is a step forward for the national security and economic security of the American people. We’ve provided our men and women in uniform with the pay increase they deserve, made critical investments in technology to safeguard our cyber infrastructure and improve military readiness, took another important step towards combating sexual assault in the military, and secured 12 full weeks of paid parental leave for workers across the federal government, setting an example for the private sector to follow,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. 

“Massachusetts plays a vital role in safeguarding our servicemembers and our Nation. I am pleased that the FY20 defense budget will support our Commonwealth’s military facilities, thousands of civilian and military jobs, and enhance our leadership in research and development which prepares our next generation of servicemembers,” added Congresswoman Trahan.

What stakeholders are saying:

“The HEROES research team and the university are very appreciative of Rep. Trahan’s support for HEROES. It will help HEROES expand research and development activities to meet critical needs in the areas of soldier protection and survivability, by use of lightweight, multifunctional materials that will reduce the weight and logistical burden on military personnel while increasing functionality and mission effectiveness,” said Prof. Ramaswamy Nagarajan, co-director of HEROES and faculty member in UMass Lowell’s Francis College of Engineering.

"The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Trahan, Turner and Cisneros in introducing the Prevention of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces Act, and working to have it included in the National Defense Authorization Act. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all institutions are doing everything in their power to address and end sexual violence. Strong protections for survivors as well as a critical focus on preventing future violence are absolutely necessary to accomplish this goal in the military," said Terri Poore, Policy Director, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

“Protect Our Defenders proudly and fiercely supports the Prevention of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces Act, and is glad to see language from that critical legislation included in the National Defense Authorization Act. The military has thus far failed to quell the number of sexual assaults committed within its ranks, thus necessitating the assistance and advice of an informed and unbiased task force. Protect Our Defenders fully endorses the increased transparency that this bill would provide to victims of military sexual assault, as well as the expanded opportunities for career advancement for enlisted members interested in pursuing advanced degrees in law,” said Adelaide Kahn, Director of Programs and Policy, Protect Our Defenders.

“Boston University is grateful for Congresswoman Trahan’s support of the Department of Defense’s science and technology activities. Thanks to her leadership, Massachusetts universities can continue groundbreaking research in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology, all of which contribute to national security,” said Gloria Waters, Boston University’s Associate Provost and Vice President for Research.

Congresswoman Trahan led on several provisions included in final passage that are important to Massachusetts, including key research collaborations between the Department of Defense and leading universities, such as UMass Lowell, UMass Amherst, Boston University, and Northeastern University.

• Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers (HEROES) program at UMass Lowell. Rep. Trahan secured an additional $5 million in funding for the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center for this joint research initiative that supports life-saving technologies for US troops.

• Improved health standards for military firefighters & families to protect from exposure to PFAS perfluorinatedchemicals (PFAS). 
• The Prevention of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced in June by Congresswoman Trahan, and was included in the NDAA during committee markup at her urging. This provision requires the Defense Department to create a civilian advisory committee on the prevention of sexual assault and misconduct. The committee would be comprised of up to 20 civilian members with expertise in campus sexual assault prevention, suicide prevention, public health, and culture change of large organizations, among other areas. The committee would advise the Secretary of Defense on ways to implement new programs or improve existing programs dedicated to preventing sexual assault.

• Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve Units. Massachusetts is home to 27,580 active-duty personnel, National Guard members, and reservists. Congresswoman Trahan’s amendment would make it so that children of these individuals are counted under the military student identifier (MSI) outlined by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This allows teachers and counselors to identify which of their students may be in need of additional support, and provide invaluable data for educators, parents, and policymakers to better understand the academic outcomes of all military-connected students. This amendment was supported by Home Base in Charlestown, MA, Military Child Education Coalition, Reserve Officers Association (ROA), and the National Education Association (NEA). 

• Increased R&D funding to support the collaboration between the Office of Naval Research and universities in the state to research efforts that enhance energy resilience to improve energy security. Amount secured was $5 million above the Administration’s request.

• Funding for Additive Manufacturing. This $10 million request will help develop next generation technologies for 3D printing that will lower costs of future platforms and deliver improved warfighter capabilities.

• Supporting Lincoln Labs through a provision led by Rep. Trahan in support of Lincoln Labs that would allow the Air Force to prepare a long-term modernization plan that could amount to more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure investments over a thirty-year period and affirmed the vital role that Lincoln Labs plays in our national defense.

Additionally, this NDAA:

Takes care of our servicemembers and their families:

• 3.1% military pay raise; largest pay raise to our troops in a decade.
• Establishment of rights and responsibilities of military family housing landlords and tenants to protect military families in privatized housing.
• Repeals the unfair widow’s tax on survivor benefits, allowing survivor families to collect full payments when a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice.

Builds a stronger national defense:

• Authorizes $6.4 billion to European Deterrence Initiative – exceeds Administration’s request.
• Briefings on Russian election interference and strategies to counter efforts in 2020.
• Continued collaboration in Asia to contain North Korean threat
• Enhances DoD’s cybersecurity strategy and cyber warfare capabilities.
• Requires DoD plans for potential threats posed by climate change.

Strengthens oversight:

• Does not authorize any backfill of military construction funds taken for the President’s border wall.
• Requires stricter Congressional oversight of U.S. military activity in Iraq and Syria.
• Identifies legal/policy frameworks associated with each military engagement.
• Requires DoD develop tools to mitigate supply chain risk during requirements generation.
• Protects DoD against cyber threats; assess risks in telecoms policies, services & equipment.

Bolsters accountability:

• Updates DoD reporting requirements regarding civilian casualties so that American leadership abroad is consistent with our values.
• Retains restrictions on Guantanamo Bay detainee transfers.
• Reforms acquisition policies with an increased emphasis on the software and personnel required to make acquisition efficient and cost-effective.

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