Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 4350 – National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. The bill was voted on last evening in the House and passed 316-113.

“The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022 is good for residents of western and central Massachusetts and the industries we have here that help keep our government going,” said Congressman Neal. “In addition to a 2.7 percent raise for our servicemembers and $500 million for relocation support for Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), there is more funding to support jobs and growth in our region. These include the authorization of projects that directly impact the workforce at General Dynamics in Pittsfield and Warren Pumps in Warren and the two entities will be able to retain roughly 1,500 jobs. In addition, the NDAA includes many provisions related to addressing the PFAS contamination in communities Westfield and throughout Berkshire County. The NDAA also requires that servicemembers in the National Guard and Reserves get paid at the same rate as their active-duty counterparts for special duty pay. Westover Air Reserve Base and Barnes Air National Guard generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development and this bill will ensure they are able to continue being strong community partners.

“This legislation is important for our troops, their families, and our communities as a whole, and I am confident that it will benefit the residents of CD-1 for many years to come.”

##