Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate passage of the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act: 

“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act makes crucial investments in our security both at home and abroad. I’m proud to have supported this bipartisan legislation and to have fought for priorities within this bill to strengthen our national defenses – including Maryland’s many vital military installations. This legislation provides a pay raise for the hardworking members of our armed forces, takes steps toward addressing the stain of the Confederacy on the naming of some of our bases, includes important policy changes to curb the supply of military equipment to local police, and requires federal law enforcement to identify themselves during civil unrest. In addition to these priorities, I worked to secure new funds for the University of Maryland START program and to finally provide the family of slain ROTC graduate Lt. Richard Collins with the benefits and recognition they are owed. While no bill is perfect, I was glad we could come together on a bipartisan basis to get this done. I urge the President to stop playing games with our national defense and sign this bill into law immediately.”