Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after three provisions he authored were included as amendments to the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation recently passed the House Armed Services Committee and is now being debated on the House Floor.
"Our men and women in uniform, along with their military families, proudly and honorably serve our country. The legislation that is now being debated on the House floor includes provisions I authored to make the Rock Island Arsenal stronger by driving more workload to their facilities," said Loebsack.
Specifically, amendments authored by Congressman Loebsack included in the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act are:
1. Installation Arsenal Reutilization Authority - Provides senior leadership at Rock Island Arsenal greater authorities to lease real or personal property for the purposes of leveraging private investment at military manufacturing arsenals through long-term facility use contracts, property management contracts, leases, or other such agreements. This amendment is designed to give Rock Island leadership greater flexibility to utilize unused administrative and warehouse space on the island, helping to bring workload and continued employment to the Island.
2. Utilization of Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Initiative - This provision makes improvements to the ARMS program by giving the Army flexibility to enter into longer lease terms. It also encourages greater cooperation with the local community to promote greater use of ARMS. As the United States shifts to a peacetime footing, increased use of ARMS will help to support our ammunition plants and the highly skilled workforce there. This amendment allows the Army to work closely with local and state governments as well as economic development organizations and private businesses to make ARMS even more of a win-win for the Army, private businesses, local communities, and the ammunition plants.
3. Pharmacy Amendment (Offered with Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-08)) - This amendment modifies a pilot program that is intended determine if the DOD can get the same savings using a network of preferred retail pharmacies as they can from using mail order by allowing retail pharmacies to provide medications to TRICARE beneficiaries at the same copayment rates as mail order. It will ensure that veterans can continue to access their local, trusted pharmacies for their medications.
###
