Rep. Sherrill Votes To Raise Military Spending, Servicemember Pay

NEW JERSEY — The U.S. House of Representatives gave a green light to a compromise version of the national defense bill on Tuesday, getting key support and a “yes” vote from Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey’s 11th District.

The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act outlines the budget for the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military spending, setting a “topline” limit of $768 billion. It passed by a vote of 363-70, and now heads back the U.S. Senate.

A previous version of the bill saw support from all but two New Jersey House members. Read More: 2 NJ Congress Members Vote Against US Military Budget Increase

The latest version of the bill would boost pay by 2.7 percent for servicemembers. However, a provision that would have expanded the military draft to include women was dropped, NPR reported.

The overwhelming support among both Democrats and Republicans for the latest version of the plan didn't come as a surprise to many; Congress has passed the NDAA for nearly 60 years in a row.

Rep. Sherrill, a Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, previously backed a Republican-led proposal to increase spending for the Department of Defense by billions of dollars beyond what President Joe Biden had requested. Read More: Rep. Mikie Sherrill Of NJ Votes To Hike US Military Budget

The congresswoman’s support for this year’s bill continued on Tuesday with a “yes” vote, she reported.

“After months of negotiation, I was proud to vote for the bipartisan, bicameral NDAA package for FY2022,” Sherrill said. “This year’s bill will ensure our military remains the best fighting force in the world and has everything they need to confront the challenges ahead. It also provides the support our servicemembers and veterans need and deserve for their service.”

Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, said the bill contains several provisions she fought hard for, including funding for Picatinny Arsenal, better protections for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, improvements to cyber capabilities, and the removal of sexual assault cases from the chain of command.

According to Sherrill, the funding for the Picatinny Arsenal is important because the facility is a “critical driver of North Jersey’s economy,” adding more than $1 billion into the local economy each year.

“After prolonged delay, it is my sincere hope that the Senate can finally move quickly to propel this legislation to the president’s desk to be signed into law,” Sherrill said.

Some New Jersey advocates have argued that increasing the military budget is irresponsible – especially in light of financial strains caused by the coronavirus pandemic – and would rather see taxpayer money spent on social programs or infrastructure improvements.

"There are over 800 U.S. bases around the globe," a group of anti-war activists said last year. "And yet in America on average every minute four people are served with eviction judgments, 30 million have no access to health care, $1.5 trillion is owed in suffocating student loan debt, and 63 percent of the population cannot afford a $500 emergency repair."

• See related article: Protesters Plan Rally In NJ: 'End Wars, Cut Military Budget'

The state’s 11th Congressional district includes the following municipalities:

Morris County - Boonton Town, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Denville, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township and Victory Gardens

Essex County - Bloomfield (split with 10th), Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Montclair (split with 10th), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell, West Orange (split with 10th)

Passaic County - Bloomingdale, Little Falls, North Haledon, Pompton Lakes, Totowa, Wanaque, Wayne and Woodland Park

Sussex County - Byram, Hopatcong, Ogdensburg, Sparta and Stanhope

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