Key Missouri Priorities Included in Senate Defense Bill Shaped by McCaskill

Funding for National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Super Hornets, included in annual defense bill—Nat’l Guard Association praises McCaskill’s fight for ‘mental health treatment for the men and women of the National Guard’

WASHINGTON – Sweeping legislation approved today by a key Senate panel—and shaped by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill—includes provisions to fully fund the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in St. Louis, as well as resources for new F/A-18 Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy.

The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which sets the nation’s defense funding and priorities, was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee today.

“This legislation is a blueprint for our national security and will help boost the critical role Missouri plays in our nation’s defense,” said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “One of the most important parts of my job is ensuring we’re working to enhance our defense capabilities at home and abroad—and both the NGA and the Super Hornet are critical players in keeping American strong and safe while boosting job opportunities here at home.”

The bill includes full funding for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, which McCaskill advocated at the highest levels of government to remain in St. Louis . It also includes resources for two new F/A-18 Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy. Last year’s defense bill shaped by McCaskill included funding for the Super Hornets that matched the Navy’s request contained in its “unfunded requirements list.” The Navy continues to rely on the F/A-18 Super Hornet due in part to massive delays and cost overruns in the F-35 program.

The annual defense bill also included several other of McCaskill’s priorities, such as:

  • The Military Retaliation Prevention Act—McCaskill’s bipartisan legislation with Republican Senator Joni Ernst to target the stubbornly high rates of survivors who report that they have been retaliated against by their peers after coming forward to report a sexual assault.
  • A $9.5 million increase to fund mental health providers for members of the Army National Guard—a provision endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States.
  • A mandatory review of the behavioral health and suicide prevention programs of the military services.
  • A requirement that the Department of Defense work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that VA health care providers who are conducting separation exams for servicemembers leaving the military are able to discuss a sexual assault if one occurred.Urging funding for the European Reassurance Initiative be in the base defense budget, rather than included in a budget gimmick in military spending bills meant to avoid federal spending caps set by Congress.
  • Establishing a permanent prohibition on infrastructure projects in Afghanistan that can’t be accessed by oversight personnel.

“NGAUS applauds Senator McCaskill's continued leadership in advocating for increased funding and mental health treatment for the men and women of the National Guard,” said Major General (Retired) Gus Hargett, National Guard Association of the United States President. “With the Army National Guard's suicide rate among the highest in the military, this vitally important provision in the NDAA will allow for greater care and access to qualified mental health professionals.”

As she has since joining the Senate, McCaskill requested that the committee open the normally closed-door committee markup to the public.

Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/defense to learn more about McCaskill’s fight to protect our national security.

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