Cortez Masto Celebrates Senate Passage of 2020 NDAA

Press Release

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes legislation she drafted to provide for the continued training activities of the Air Force at the Nevada Test and Training Range and the Navy at Naval Air Station Fallon, while also protecting the Interior Department's administration of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR). The Senator hopes this will continue conversations between Nevada stakeholders and the military over how to modernize military training while protecting Nevada's natural and cultural resources. In addition, the NDAA includes the Senator's legislation to improve mental health services for members of the National Guard and Reserves and increase the transparency and efficiency of the Department of Defense's TRICARE medical billing practices.

"I'm proud to have fought for Nevada in the FY'21 National Defense Authorization Act including ensuring that no further funding goes to Yucca Mountain," said Senator Cortez Masto. "This bipartisan legislation also includes provisions I drafted to establish intergovernmental committees to encourage consensus based decision-making for the management of our military installations on federal lands in partnership with local, state and tribal stakeholders. These collaborations will help ensure we are modernizing our military assets in Nevada while respecting the needs of our local tribes and other public land users.

"As part of this legislation, I also secured key provisions to improve mental health access for members of our National Guard and Reservists, provide a pay raise for our troops, support veterans harmed by Agent Orange during their service, and address transparency and efficiency in TRICARE billing. Nevada's brave servicemen and women deserve nothing more than every support they need to thrive. I look forward to continuing to fight on these issues on behalf of Nevadans."

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