{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1554", "Larsen Statement on Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Act", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", "larsen", "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted for the final conference report for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support servicemembers and military communities in Washington\u2019s Second District. Larsen served on the conference committee that helped shape the final version of the bill, which passed the House by a vote of 377-48.\n\n\u201cThe final NDAA conference report makes important investments in military readiness, increases pay for servicemembers, helps small businesses compete for defense contracts and spurs innovative research to prepare for future conflicts,\u201d said Larsen. \u201cI look forward to working with my colleagues to get the final bill over the finish line.\u201d\n\nLarsen successfully included provisions in the conference report that will benefit the Pacific Northwest. These include:\n\nJet Noise\n\nLarsen successfully included important provisions to conduct real-time sound monitoring and authorize jet noise reduction research. These policies will ensure air crews can get vital training while better understanding and reducing the impact of operations on surrounding communities.\n\nArtificial Intelligence\n\nLarsen successfully included a provision that requires the Department of Defense to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) education strategy and requires the underlying curriculum to include ethical issues, bias and potential strengths and weaknesses of AI.\n\nNaval Station Everett\n\nBuilt as a carrier homeport, Naval Station Everett is uniquely well-suited to this mission. Unfortunately, the Navy\u2019s 2018 Strategic Laydown and Dispersal Plan changed the Navy\u2019s plan to base an aircraft carrier at Naval Station Everett in 2019 and beyond. Larsen successfully included a provision that directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to HASC on recent changes to the Navy\u2019s West Coast aircraft carrier homeporting.\n\nImpact Aid\n\nLarsen successfully included $50 million for Impact Aid payments to schools serving military dependents, such as the Oak Harbor School District.\n\nThe NDAA includes additional provisions benefiting Northwest Washington\u2019s military families, installations and the surrounding communities.\n\nSupports Military Communities\n\nThe NDAA bans Department of Defense use of firefighting agents containing PFAS on military bases by 2024, requires the use of state drinking water standards when they are more stringent than federal standards, and authorizes funding for schools serving military students.\n\nThe NDAA also requires the DoD to develop a comprehensive mental health policy and combats the opioid epidemic by implementing economic and financial sanctions on foreign drug traffickers.\n\nInvests in Science and Technology\n\nThe NDAA increases funding for the Defense University Research Initiative by $5 million. This program helped fund the Robotarium, a remote-access robotics lab located at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Larsen has advocated for the expansion of the Robotarium concept to other universities and educational institutions to expand access to autonomous systems.\n\nStrengthens the NATO Alliance\n\nThe NDAA reverses President Trump\u2019s cuts to the European Deterrence Initiative, instead providing additional funding to deter Russia and work with U.S. allies and partners. The bill prohibits funding to be used to suspend, terminate or withdraw from NATO and expresses strong support of U.S. commitment to the alliance.\n\nPromotes Nuclear Stability\n\nThe NDAA includes Larsen\u2019s provision extending the prohibition on development of mobile Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) for five years. The bill also authorizes $20 million for research and development of advanced naval reactors to reduce the use of weapons-grade uranium.\n\nProtects Dreamers\n\nThe NDAA prohibits a DACA or TPS recipient from being involuntarily separated from the military and requires military service to be considered in any determination for removal proceedings. The bill also requires counseling to noncitizen servicemembers on how to apply for citizenship.\n\nThe final NDAA conference report now awaits passage in the Senate before heading to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\nTo read the final conference report, click here.\n\n###\n\nRelated News\n\nLarsen Introduces Bill to Expand Rural Health Care Access for Tribes, Military Families\n\nMay 22, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen, Elfreth Secure AI Provisions in Defense Policy Bill\n\nDecember 10, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Releases Statement on Defense Policy Bill Vote\n\nDecember 10, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Releases Statement on Cancellation of Constellation-class Frigate Program\n\nNovember 26, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Statement on House-Passed Defense Policy Bill\n\nSeptember 11, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1554"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9830410126596689, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}