Scott Applauds Passage of FY 2020 NDAA

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) released the following statement upon final passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act:

“South Carolinians have a unique bond with our nation’s military, and we know how important it is that we ensure that our men and women are equipped with the tools they need to defend and protect this great nation,” said Senator Tim Scott. “I am proud that Congress was able to secure not only a pay raise for our troops, but also increase funding for military institutions located in South Carolina, create new opportunities at the Savannah River Site, and provide more resources for the DoD’s HBCU Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation program.”

Provisions that benefit South Carolina are outlined below:

• $33.3 million for Joint Base Charleston
• $54 million for Fort Jackson
• $37.2 million for Parris Island
• $1.463 billion for Savannah River Site (SRS), included within the total is:

• $410.5 million for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility Project 
• $50 Million for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative Facility at the Savannah River Site 

The bill authorizes a 3.1 percent increase in pay for troops, reforms issues with military housing, and establishes strong cybersecurity and 5G provisions. The bill also includes $46.7 million in funding for the Department of Defense’s HBCU Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation program, an increase in funding from last year, initiated by Senator Scott through a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House and Senate Armed Service Committees.

Continuing the senator’s efforts on combatting carbon monoxide poisoning, NDAA requires the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors in each unit of military family housing. The report also includes a total of $712 million for the Department of Energy’s plutonium sustainment, which includes $410.5 million for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility Project creating the opportunity for SRS to play an integral part in the nation’s nuclear stockpile.

Full text of the conference report can be accessed HERE.

###