{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-country-caucus-touts-lengthy-list-wins-2020-ndaa", "Bipartisan For Country Caucus Touts Lengthy List of Wins in 2020 NDAA", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. On Friday, the Chairs of the bipartisan For Country Caucus  which is comprised of veterans serving in Congress  celebrated a lengthy list of accomplishments for the military, veterans and military families in the 2020 Fiscal Year National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which President Donald J. Trump will sign into law today.\nAs a veteran, I understand the importance of supporting our military and fosteringglobal security, stability and economic prosperity, said Caucus co-chairman Rep. Don Bacon (R-Maine). The 2020 NDAA has made major improvements to help our military and their family members such as authorizinga 3.1 percent pay increase, the largest in a decade, approving$743 billion for national defense, including $5.3 billion in emergency funding for military installations affected by recent natural disasters andpermanently ends the widow tax' mandatory offset to survivor benefits. \nAs veterans, we know what it means to not only serve but also to complete the mission, Caucus co-chairman Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) said. The legislation behind these policies is a testament to our commitment to bipartisanship as well as our desire to serve our communities and country.\nAs veterans who have served this nation both in the military and now in Congress, we have the capacity to heal this country and overcome divides,\" said Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.). \"I am so proud of the bipartisan work we have accomplished and look forward to another year of finding common ground and elevating the issues that affect us all.\"\nAs military veterans, we are mission-focused to achieve results, Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) said. Although our caucus may be in its infancy, each of us has taken the military ethos of service and our shared value of bipartisanship to make our country a better place and to make Congress more efficient. I am proud that together, we were able to accomplish our mission and deliver a strong list of polices to improve the lives of service members and their families.\nNotable For Country Caucus-sponsored legislation included:\n Reimbursing Gold Star families for the costs of transporting fallen servicemembers' remains to a national cemetery\n\tSupporting paid parental leave\n\tBetter Military Housing Act (Tenant Bill of Rights),which sets minimum acceptable livability standards for military personnel and their families\n\tPhase out of the Widow's Tax\n\tAuthorization of 4,000 additional visas for Afghan allies as well as extending the application period to 2021\n\tRequiring full military honors for veterans awarded the Medal of Honor or prisoner-of-war medal\n\tExpanding financial assistance to civilian providers of child care services for survivors of servicemembers killed in the line of duty\n\tRequiring senior military officials to meet with survivors of deceased service members to receive feedback on issues affecting survivors", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-country-caucus-touts-lengthy-list-wins-2020-ndaa"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4320360496640205, "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"}