Press Releases

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 that included Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández’s (D-NM) amendments to help those impacted by PFAS contamination.

The FY 2020 NDAA allowed the Air Force to purchase or provide relocation assistance to landowners affected by PFAS, including in New Mexico. Rep. Leger Fernandez’s amendment requires the Air Force to submit a detailed report of PFAS contamination sites, acquisitions, and relocation status of private land and property contaminated by the military to Congress.

The NDAA also includes a $2.5 million investment championed by the congresswoman to support directed energy research and education for workforce development at the University of New Mexico.

“The National Defense Authorization Act includes important provisions to improve the quality of life for our brave servicemembers, including increased pay, strengthened parental leave, and funding for education. It also helps communities that have suffered the long-term effects of environmental contamination related to defense work.

“This bill makes historic changes to how the military handles sexual assault. Importantly, it creates a Special Trial Counsel in each branch to ensure independence for handling reports of assault. These life-saving reforms will better protect our women and men in uniforms.

“I’m proud to have secured an amendment requiring Air Force reporting on PFAS contamination and remediation. Additionally, we secured funding for UNM to stimulate workforce development needed for our science and innovation economy. I look forward to getting this bill signed into law for our servicemembers, communities impacted by contamination, and New Mexico students,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández.

In addition, the Congresswoman supports the following NDAA provisions:

• Historic changes to improve the ability of servicemembers, women in particular, to report and combat sexual assault, including the creation of an indepedent Office of the Special Victim Prosecutor within each Service.
• $6.4 billion for Defense Environmental Cleanup, including $333 million for Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Los Alamos Excess facilities.
• Acknowledges that the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act will expire in July 2022 and expresses a sense of Congress that the U.S. Government should appropriately compensate and recognize affected individuals.
• Authorizes $50 million in aid for local educational agencies with military dependent students, and $20 million for local educational agencies eligible to receive a payment for children with severe disabilities.
• Increases the allowable parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers including foster parents.
• Responds to the threats of the climate crisis, both by reducing emissions and better preparing installations and communities for climate impacts.

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