Congresswoman Matsui Praises Protection of California National Guard Members in House-Passed National Defense Authorization Act

Statement

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement on the inclusion of protections for CA National Guard Members in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House today.

"This will ensure our dedicated California National Guard members receive the justice they deserve," said Congresswoman Matsui. "I'm pleased that the solution my colleagues and I put forth has been included in this year's National Defense Authorization Act. It puts a permanent halt to the recoupment of funds from service members who received bonuses unknowingly, and makes whole those who have already paid in good faith. Now, the men and women who have served on behalf of our country can rest assured that they will not have to unfairly pay for mistakes that were not their own."

The NDAA contains language from H.R. 6377 (co-sponsored by Rep. Matsui and led by Rep. Adam Schiff) which halts the recoupment of bonuses from service members who received them unknowingly from 2004 to 2010. It also directs the Army to make whole those National Guard members who repaid the government in good faith, and ensures their credit won't be negatively affected.

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