Rep. Mace Statement on Proposed Amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act

Today, Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01) issued the following statement concerning her proposed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“Many of our nation’s most significant military installations are located in South Carolina’s First Congressional District,” said Rep. Mace. “I have worked with my colleagues to submit over 10 amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directly support our active duty and military veterans right here in the Lowcountry. From protecting Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island to addressing the threat of flooding at our VA facilities, these amendments will benefit those who have and are currently actively serving our country.  I look forward to their consideration in the coming days and hope to see these important measures included in the final version of the NDAA.”

Background: The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual congressional bill giving guidance on the policies and funding of defense agencies.

Rep. Mace's Amendments include:

- Allows combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service to concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.

- Closes a loophole that allowed Russia to use its gold reserves to circumvent sanctions. The amendment authorizes the President to sanction individuals who knowingly participate in a transaction involving the sale, supply, or transfer (including transportation) of gold, directly or indirectly, to Russia.

- Authorizes Department of Veterans Affairs providers to assist veterans in providing recommendations, opinions, and completion of the forms reflecting these recommendations or opinions in compliance with state-legal medical cannabis programs.

- Extends consumer credit protections to active duty armed and uniformed consumers in a combat zone, aboard a U.S. vessel, or away from their usual duty stations and prohibits the inclusion on a consumer report of adverse credit information that occurred while a uniformed consumer was serving.

- Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain contributions to local authorities to mitigate the risk of flooding on local property adjacent to medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the VA to submit a report to Congress on the threat flooding poses to its facilities, and what resources are needed to address these threats.

- Establishes safe harbor for Veterans accessing State legal cannabis programs and protects VA benefits already in place.

Find a full list of proposed amendments here.