WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) supported the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which includes an authorization for a new Army Reserve Center in Newark and a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members. 

“The Senate has come together to approve this year’s critically important National Defense Authorization Act, which ensures that our troops have the resources necessary to help keep our country and our citizens safe,” said Senator Carper. “This final bill makes important investments to support the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, strengthen our military capabilities, bolster our nation’s cyber defenses, and counter the ever-evolving threats to our national security. I am especially proud to have worked alongside Senator

Coons to secure funding for the new Army Reserve Center in Newark so that our service men and women have the modern training facility that they deserve.”

“I was proud to support passage of this year’s defense policy bill, which enhances our national security, improves health evaluations for troops who serve abroad, and supports service members and their families around the First State.” said Senator Coons. “The bill also authorizes the construction of a new $21 million Army Reserve Center in Newark, which will provide a modern training facility for Delaware’s Reservists.”

Army Reserve Center

The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes $21 million for the construction of a 300-member training center for Army Reservists in Newark, Delaware, which will replace Delaware’s aging Reserve facilities that do not meet current standards for protection of our service members. The new training center will be located right off the I-95 corridor, providing a convenient location for drilling and recruitment. The project is currently set to begin construction in 2020 and be completed in 2022. 

Troop Pay Raise         

The bill includes a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members, which is the largest in a decade.

Improving Evaluation of Exposure to Burn Pits

The defense authorization also includes legislation co-sponsored by Senator Coons, the Burn Pits Accountability Act, which requires the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to improve evaluation and documentation of service members’ exposure to “burn pits.” Burn pits have been used in overseas combat operations to burn waste, resulting in military personnel being exposed to smoke and potentially harmful substances. Under provisions in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, service members will be evaluated for exposure to toxic airborne chemicals in routine health exams. Service members who served near a burn pit would also be automatically enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.

 

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