WASHINGTON – Today, Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the House passed three amendments to combat terror and nuclear proliferation introduced by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) as part of the Conference Report for the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The NDAA includes a 3.1 percent increase in military pay for all military service members. This bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President.

The House-passed NDAA includes Gottheimer’s amendments to:

• Ensure the Department of Defense reports on threats to free navigation on international waterways following Iran’s reckless conduct with attacks near the Strait of Hormuz;

• Direct the Defense and State Departments to send recommendations to improve the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program which helps eliminate nuclear material and prevent proliferation, and;

• Prohibit funds and support from going to Foreign Terrorist Organizations like Hamas, Hezbolla, Palestinian Islamic Jihan, Al Shabab, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps by adding these groups to the prohibited list under Section 1228 of the bill.  

“I am proud that the House passed a strong, bipartisan defense bill to help equip and prepare our service members to carry out their mission and defend our country. I am glad the bill included three amendments I introduced to help combat terrorism and nuclear proliferation which threaten the United States and our allies, and further destabilizes the Middle East and North Africa. I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our active duty military, combat terrorism and violent extremism, and strengthen America’s national security,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

###