Rep. Mike Levin to Help Pass Defense Bill with Provisions for UC San Diego Projects
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also Includes Levin’s Amendments to Improve Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and Transition Assistance Program
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) will vote for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, which includes authorizations he requested for two national security projects at UC San Diego, two amendments he authored to support servicemembers’ economic opportunity, and a 2.7 percent pay increase for servicemembers.
“The National Defense Authorization Act is a vital piece of legislation to support the men and women in uniform at Camp Pendleton and across the country, and I look forward to helping advance the bill,” said Rep. Levin. “I’m proud to have secured authorizations for projects at UC San Diego that will address the national security implications of the global shortage of semiconductor chips, as well as build a pipeline of civilian expertise in geo-economics, innovation, and security to support our national defense. I’m also glad the bill includes my amendments to strengthen the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Transition Assistance Program, which are both critical for military families’ economic success and financial security. And finally, our troops are getting the pay raise they deserve after serving honorably and keeping our country safe throughout this pandemic. With all of these provisions and so much more to support our servicemembers, I’m proud to help pass this critical legislation.”
Background on UC San Diego Projects:
The bill includes an authorization of $2 million for a project at UC San Diego to develop recommendations for a national microelectronics manufacturing center. The center will turn research and development into innovative semiconductor chips and computing systems and serve as a trusted domestic manufacturer for the U.S. government. Semiconductor chips are a crucial component of a wide range of products, and the global chip shortage has become a serious national security and economic concern.
The bill also includes an authorization of $5 million for a project at UC San Diego to build a pipeline of civilian expertise on geo-economics, innovation, and national security (GINS) to support the education of military members and others in the national security community. The primary goal is to build the academic education infrastructure needed to support the national security community in training their workforces on GINS skills.
Background on Rep. Levin’s Amendments:
An amendment to the bill from Rep. Levin improves the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by expanding the ability for servicemembers to terminate a telecommunications contract (telephone, television, or internet) without penalty upon receiving certain military orders. Levin’s amendment allows servicemembers to terminate contracts if they receive a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), enter into a telecommunications contract, then receive a stop movement order in response to an emergency, such as a global pandemic, which prevents them from using the contract.
The second amendment from Rep. Levin makes improvements to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for servicemembers returning to civilian life. The legislation changes the factors that are used to determine the appropriate level of TAP counseling for a servicemember, ensuring they receive the best counseling possible to have economic success after their military career.
###