NORTH SHORE – (Radio & Photo) Tuesday headlines from North Shore Today: Property taxes on the rise in Beverly; Lynn city council counting dollars; Overnight house fire damages home in Beverly; Family night on Thursday in Gloucester
North Shore Today newscast with Rick Moore and Bill Newell
House Passes National Defense Bill with Moulton Amendments
NDAA will strengthen military efforts to defeat ISIL, hold Iran accountable and support jobs and innovation in Massachusetts
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017, to provide critical military personnel funding and resources for our troops. The bill includes several amendments introduced by Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) which will strengthen our counter-ISIL political strategy; require the President to notify Congress with an action plan when Iran conducts a ballistic missile launch; and reauthorize the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who risked their lives working with the U.S. in Afghanistan.
“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, It is my responsibility to ensure that we support our troops serving on the front lines and our veterans here at home,” said Moulton. “The amendments I proposed sought to do just that, and I’m proud that this legislation will implement a comprehensive political strategy in our military’s efforts to defeat ISIS, ensure that we are holding Iran accountable, and reauthorize the Afghan SIV program to stand with hundreds of Afghans who put their lives on the line, not just for their country, but for ours. This bipartisan bill will also fund necessary upgrades at Hanscom Air Force Base and MIT Lincoln Labs, supporting jobs and ensuring that Massachusetts remains a national leader in advanced defense research. While it does not contain every provision I fought for, it moves our country forward and strengthens our national defense.”
The below amendments led by Moulton were included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017:
- Anti-ISIL Campaign Strategy: Moulton’s amendment requires the Departments of State and Defense to implement a comprehensive counter-ISIL strategy that includes clear military and political objectives for Iraq and Syria with rigorous reporting requirements.
- Iran Ballistic Missile Launch Reporting Requirement: Moulton’s amendment requires the President to conduct an intelligence assessment and officially notify Congress within two weeks whenever Iran conducts a ballistic missile launch or test and inform the Congress as to actions the President will take in response, including efforts to pursue additional sanctions.
Moulton also worked to secure provisions that will advance Massachusetts’ role as a leader in our national defense efforts. As part of the NDAA, MIT Lincoln Labs, located at Hanscom Air Force Base, has been authorized an additional $48.27 million in fiscal year 2017 to modernize and upgrade their research facilities, as well as $265 million over the next five years. The bill also supports the JSTARS program managed at Hanscom Air Force base, an important communication and command platform for our combat forces, and authorizes $10.96 million requested by the Air Force to upgrade Hanscom’s Vandenberg gate, making it safer for base personnel and visitors.
This year, Moulton has been an outspoken advocate for the Afghan SIV program. He introduced a provision to our National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to remove the narrowing of U.S. resettlement eligibility requirements to include Afghans who risked their lives working for the U.S. in Afghanistan. During a speech on the house floor, Moulton advocated to give these Afghan allies a chance to stay alive, rather than abandon them to the same enemies they united with the U.S. to destroy. His amendment was endorsed by The New York Times Editorial Board, but the eligibility restrictions remain in the final bill.
“The Afghan SIV program’s four year reauthorization is certainly a step in the right direction, but with only 1,500 new visas and added eligibility restrictions, we are still leaving behind at least 5,000 people who have risked their lives for us,” said Moulton. “I commit to continuing to push for more visas to be added because I would not be here today without the courageous translators who worked with me to carry out our mission in Iraq.”
Moulton on CNN Today
