Richmond Leader

Washington, D.C. – On June 22, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) voted to advance H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, out of the House Armed Services Committee to the House Floor for consideration.  

“Early this morning, I voted to advance the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024 out of the House Armed Services Committee,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “This year’s NDAA includes important provisions to support our servicemembers and their families, invest in cutting-edge research and innovation, and protect our national security priorities both domestically and around the world. As we continue to see rising aggression from Russia and the Chinese Communist Party, it is imperative that we invest in our nation’s armed forces while strengthening our strategic partnerships with our international allies. This NDAA represents a bipartisan compromise that will maintain our national defense strategy and ensure our continued military readiness.” 

Congresswoman McClellan offered four amendments, which were all included in the FY2024 NDAA: 

• Traction Alopecia Study: to direct the Department of Defense to conduct a study into the feasibility of implementing novel treatments for servicemembers, particularly Black women, who suffer from traction alopecia and scalp damage caused by the military’s strict grooming standards. 
• Extension Deadline for U.S.S. George Washington Investigation: to provide the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Defense the necessary time to conclude its investigation into the contributing factors behind the suicides committed by Navy servicemembers aboard the U.S.S. George Washington in Newport News, Virginia. 
• Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Training Study: to direct the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study into mental health awareness and suicide prevention training in the military and to offer recommendations to close existing gaps. 
• MilitaryOne Source Study: to direct the Department of Defense to conduct a study into the efficacy, utility, and accessibility of the One Source Program, which aims to connect servicemembers, veterans, and their families with various services and resources. 

"I am thrilled that all four of the amendments I offered to this year’s NDAA were included in the final version passed by the House Armed Services Committee,” continued Congresswoman McClellan. “These amendments aim to improve the quality of life of our servicemembers and address the alarmingly high suicide rates that our active-duty military members and veterans experience. The brave members of our armed forces make heroic sacrifices in defense of American interests and democracy, and we must continue to advocate on their behalf and ensure they have access to the robust resources and comprehensive services they deserve.”  

Read the bill text of H.R. 2670 here and the text of Congresswoman McClellan’s amendments here. 

Original source can be found here.