Chesco Lawmaker's Initiaves For Defense Are Set To Be Signed By Biden

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan celebrated the dozens of her legislative efforts that were used in crafting the National Defense Authorization Act.

President Biden is expected to sign the act into law before the New Year.

“I’m extremely proud to play such an integral role in this legislation and secure dozens of priorities on behalf of my community, Commonwealth, and country,” said Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat.

Houlahan said that she has been working for months to advance efforts to support military personnel and strengthen U.S. national security.

The efforts include expanding paid leave for veterans, growing the nation’s cybersecurity workforce, increasing opportunities for small business contracts with the Department of Defense, cracking down on fentanyl, and more.

The bill passed the House 310-118.

Houlahan championed 36 bills/provisions in the Act, including these provisions:

• Expand paid leave eligibility to veterans in the federal workforce by counting their service in uniform towards the Family and Medical Leave Act’s 12-month work requirement;
• Grow the current DoD cyber and digital scholarship program to include career opportunities in all parts of the intelligence community;
• Increase funding for the Army Humanitarian Demining program by $2 million to help affected nations around the world recover from conflict;
• Protect military personnel’s access to life-saving medicines by identifying pharmaceutical and medical device supply chain vulnerabilities, developing a strategy for increased domestic production, and executing a plan for a 180-day stockpile program; and
• Improve maternity care for servicewomen and military dependents by increasing access to doula and lactation certifications.