releases: https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-votes-largest-pay-raise-military-members-decade
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-votes-largest-pay-raise-military-members-decade | Finkenauer Votes for Largest Pay Raise for Military Members in a Decade | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Democrat | House | IA | Abby Finkenauer | F000467 | finkenauer.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenuer (IA-01) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation will include a 3.1% pay raise for military service members, the largest pay increase approved by Congress in the last decade. Right now, there are many Iowans who are deployed and will spend the holidays away from their families, Congresswoman Finkenauer said, While I know this is a hard time to be apart, I hope that providing this pay raise will mean the holidays will be just a little brighter for our men and women who serve our country. I am also proud that my bill, which passed the House in the first two weeks of Congress, was included in the package and is now on its way to becoming law. It will directly help create more opportunity in Iowa. The legislation includes two provisions that Congresswoman Finkenauer introduced this year: The Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act Secures Military Asset Corrosion and Readiness Priority The NDAA also includes other key provisions that will help hard-working Iowans. It will authorize 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal workers. The legislation also includes several provisions strengthening protections and support for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. Background on the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act The bipartisan bill helps small businesses apply for government technology grants and contracts. To help put innovative small firms on the map, Congress created the Small Business Innovative Research program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. These initiatives provide capital and other support to allow small businesses to engage in federal research and development with the goal of commercialization. Thebill would help more small businesses access theSBIRand STTR programs, especially in rural communities. Specifically, the bill would require acquisition personnel to conduct outreach so more small firms can benefit from theSBIRand STTR programs. Congresswoman Finkenauer introduced this bill in January, it is the first bill passed by a freshman member of Congress. Background on Securing Military Asset Corrosion and Readiness Priority The NDAA includes Finkenauer's report language requiring the Department of Defense to study shortfalls in military painter training. This training, some of which is provided by the University of Northern Iowa's (UNI) STAR4D program, is critical to helping reduce corrosion of military assets while keeping costs down and ensuring military readiness. Earlier this year, Finkenauer worked directly with the committee on the language, which was offered during the committee mark-up of the bill by Readiness Subcommittee Chair John Garamendi (CA-3) and approved unanimously, with every Democratic and Republican member of the Committee voting for it. Finkenauer's efforts highlight the good work already happening at UNI and other institutions that are strengthening the military's civilian workforce through painter training. The amendment adopted today is a first step towards better understanding how we can better protect our investments in military equipment through corrosion control. The University of Northern Iowa runs the STAR4D program, which trains military painters at depots and other military facilities across the country. According to the Southwest Research Institute, military painter training helped Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania use 8,100 fewer gallons of corrosion-resistant coatings per year, saving the depot$500,000 per year through improved transfer efficiency and reduced rework. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |