Representative Mike Levin Secures $128 million for Camp Pendleton in National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced he successfully secured $128 million in military construction funding for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA also includes other key priorities Levin fought for, including many proposals in his bipartisan Ensuring Safe Housing for our Military Act, an amendment to provide additional funding for the Naval University Research Initiative, and an amendment to require a comprehensive report from the Secretary of Defense on the DoD’s “Combating Trafficking in Persons Initiative.”
“I am pleased to see that the National Defense Authorization Act will include several amendments I fought for, including $128 million for critical infrastructure projects at Camp Pendleton,” said Rep. Levin. “This funding, as well as other provisions of the NDAA that I pushed for like protections for military families in unsafe private housing, will help ensure that our servicemembers have the resources and support they need to defend our country. However, I have concerns about other aspects of the legislation. I am disappointed that the bill could give the President discretion to use some funding for a border wall, and fails to adequately address toxic chemicals known as PFAS, which have plagued communities across the country, including some in my district. Overall, this bill makes critical progress for servicemembers and their families around Camp Pendleton, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
The $128 million for Camp Pendleton includes $71.7 million for a new mess hall and warehouse, $17.7 million for an ambulatory care center and dental clinic replacement, and $38.87 million for a I Marine Expeditionary Force consolidated information center.
The NDAA also includes:
- An amendment led by Levin to provide additional funding for the Naval University Research Initiative. The Naval University Research Initiative works with universities like UC San Diego on defense research.
- An amendment led by Levin to require a comprehensive report from the Secretary of Defense on the DoD’s “Combating Trafficking in Persons Initiative.” The last time this Initiative was reviewed, in 2014, serious flaws with the implementation and effectiveness of the program were discovered.
- Proposals in Rep. Levin’s Ensuring Safe Housing for our Military Act.
###