Press Releases

WASHINGTON D.C. – On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 377-48 vote. The legislation authorizes historic investments in national defense priorities and modernizations for U.S. forces.

The NDAA deal includes a historic 3.1% raise for service members – the largest raise in a decade. Additionally, the finalized bill includes 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees, a repeal of the widow’s tax, and a scholarship program to assist JROTC members in obtaining their pilot’s license.

“I applaud the House for passing the NDAA in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. This bill includes important modernizations and protections for our service members, military families, and our nation’s Armed Forces” said Congresswoman Kendra Horn (OK-5). “I am proud that this week’s bill included legislation I introduced to address a severe shortage of pilots in both our Air Force and in the aviation industry. My provision would assist JROTC members in getting their pilot’s certificate.”

In Oklahoma, Air Force JROTC provides specialized aeronautics and space education. With about 1,000 students participating in Air Force JROTC units alone, these programs provide an important and unique service to strengthen our aerospace workforce of the future.

“The looming pilot crisis has the potential to adversely affect the Oklahoma National Guard and other services,” Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson said. “I applaud Congresswoman Horn's effort to address this critical pilot issue and contribute to a more promising future for our young adults who are interested in military service.”

The NDAA also includes a Tenants Bill of Rights to address unsafe housing conditions on military bases and other critical protections for service members in privatized base housing. Congresswoman Horn led the charge in the House for these protections after hearing about military housing problems at Tinker Air Force Base during one of her town halls.

“The NDAA’s bipartisan Tenants Bill of Rights will protect our military families from predatory contracts and provide increased oversight of privatized base housing. Passage of the NDAA is a victory for our service members. I will continue to fight for safe housing for our military families not only at Tinker, but across the country,” said Congresswoman Horn.

In April, Congresswoman Horn brought lawmakers including House Armed Services’ Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Garamendi to see housing conditions first-hand at Tinker Air Force Base. Last week during a hearing in the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Horn questioned a contractor responsible for housing maintenance.

Congresswoman Horn, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was appointed as a conferee to the House-Senate conference committee on the NDAA. Horn was one of the only first-term lawmakers named to the conference committee, which was responsible for reaching a compromise between House and Senate versions of the NDAA.

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