WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee early this morning passed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included three of U.S. Congressman Brian Mast’s (FL-18) priorities to help those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country.

“It takes a special kind of person to put on the uniform and dedicate their life to serving our country,” Rep. Mast said. “Our brothers and sisters in arms should be able to serve our country knowing that we have their backs on and off the battlefield.”

The following priorities of Rep. Mast were included in the NDAA:

• Expanding service eligibility age waivers to reserve physicians or reserve chaplains beyond the age of 68 if they are deemed “necessary for the needs of the military department concerned.” Under current law, this program is available only to active-duty servicemembers.
• Requiring the Department of Defense to evaluate and track the exposure of U.S. servicemembers and veterans to open air burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals.
• Eliminating the statute of limitations under the military code for maiming and kidnapping of a child.

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