Scott Powers
Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy announced Thursday that the National Defense Authorization Act has been advanced from the House Armed Services Committee with several key provisions she pushed, including transitional help for newly departing service members, authorization for the military modeling and simulation centers in Orlando, and money to fight opioid trafficking.
The Armed Services Committee, on which Murphy serves, approved the bill early Thursday morning. The full U.S. House of Representatives must now consider the bill.
“The United States has the most powerful military in the world, made up of brave Americans who risk their lives to defend liberty and protect this nation. As someone who used to work in the Pentagon, I know how important it is that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to safely and effectively do their jobs,” Murphy stated in a news release issued by her office. “I’ve worked hard on the Armed Services Committee to ensure this bill supports our troops and veterans; combats emerging threats like cyber; and strengthens Orlando’s modeling, simulation, and training sector—all as part of a bipartisan effort to keep our country safe.”
Among the provisions she said she helped get into the bill:
– Key language from her House Resolution 4954, the “BATTLE of Servicemembers Act,” provides workshops for departing service members to attend to prepare them for transition to civilian life.
– Key language from her House Resolution 2056, the “Microloan Modernization Act of 2017,” helps more entrepreneurs obtain low-interest loans.
– Language authorizing that the modeling and simulation centers and the National Cyber Range complex in Orlando are critical to national security, and full funding for the cyber range and for the Army’s Persistent Cyber Training Environment program.
– Key language from her House Resolution 5126 to help Israel defend against missile attacks.
– $20 million to combat opioid trafficking, funding Murphy has sought for the past two years.
The Winter Park Democratic congresswoman faces Chardo Richardson in a Democratic primary challenge this year, with state Rep. Mike Miller, Scott Sturgill, and Vennia Francois battling in the Republican primary.
