Gottheimer Amendments Pass Supporting America’s Defense

Gottheimer-supported Military Pay Raise, Lead Water Clean-Up Investment Passes House

WASHINGTON – Today, Friday, July 12, 2019, four legislative amendments from U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) to support our nation’s defense passed the House, as well as several provisions supported by Gottheimer, including a 3.1% pay raise for our brave active duty service members and increased investment in cleaning up lead in drinking water on or near U.S. military bases.

Gottheimer’s amendments take the following action:

• Ensures the Defense Department reports on threats to free navigation on our international waterways, especially as we remain vigilant of nations like Iran and their engagement in reckless conduct, destabilizing the region with their recent attacks on allied tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.

• Directs the Defense and State Departments provide Congress with recommendations to improve the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, to help eliminate nuclear material and prevent proliferation.

• Prohibits funds and support from going to Foreign Terrorist Organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al Shabab, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in order to stop terrorism in its tracks.

• Requires the Defense Department to question whether our active duty have experienced anti-Semitism while bravely serving our country, as Americans of all backgrounds have served in our Armed Forces, including Jewish American veterans who fought Nazis in World War II.

“I’m proud that Congress came together in a bipartisan manner to provide our brave active duty and their families with the support they need and deserve through this across-the-board pay raise,” said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “My amendments that the House passed today ensure that we are properly defending our nation, protecting our American interests abroad, and supporting our troops.”

Gottheimer spoke on the House floor to urge support for his amendments earlier this week.

Video of Congressman Gottheimer’s remarks on the House floor can be viewed here.

Congressman Gottheimer’s floor remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Thornberry, and all the Armed Services Committee members for all your hard work on this bill.

I rise in support of the En Bloc Package which contains four amendments I’ve introduced.

Mr. Speaker, Iran has engaged in reckless conduct, destabilizing the region, with their attacks on allied tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and supporting terrorist organizations, like Hezbollah and Hamas. We must remain vigilant with Iran. My amendment ensures that the Defense Department reports on threats to freedom of navigation on all international waterways.

My second amendment directs the Defense and State Departments to send recommendations to Congress to improve the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. This will help eliminate nuclear material and prevent proliferation.

My third amendment prohibits funds and support from going to Foreign Terrorist Organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al Shabab, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps by adding these to the prohibited list in Section 1224 of this bill. We must stop terrorism in its tracks.

And finally, brave Americans of every background have served in our Armed Forces, including Jewish American veterans who fought Nazis in World War II. My fourth amendment requires the Defense Department to question whether our active duty service members have experienced anti-Semitism while bravely serving our country.

I urge support for this bipartisan En Bloc package of amendments and I yield back the balance of my time.

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