WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included four 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 knowing that we have their backs on and off the battlefield. While this bill comes up short of that goal in a number of ways, the good news is that we were able to get several important provisions added that will improve the bill for our service men and women.”

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Expanding access of military rental property to Foreign Service Officers who temporarily lose housing allowance while on mandatory Home Leave Status.

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