Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Michael J. McQuerry
December 10, 2020                                                       202-215-8524

PRESS STATEMENT

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement applauding passage of the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021 in the House of Representatives:

“I am pleased that the House of Representatives   passed the NDAA for fiscal year 2021. In addition to providing a 3% pay raise for armed servicemembers,  the bill also contains a number of provisions listed below for the benefit of the Virgin Islands. The bill incorporates my amendments (noted below) that include continuing the waiver for the University of the Virgin Islands to use pre-hurricane 2017 enrollment data for purposes of post-hurricane HBCU grant funding through 2025, as well as providing additional assistance for small businesses.

·       Authorizes $39.4 million in federal funding for two military construction projects for National Guard infrastructure on St. Croix.

·       Allows the U.S. Department of Education to continue the waiver for the University of the Virgin Islands to use pre-hurricane 2017 enrollment data for purposes of post-hurricane HBCU grant funding, through 2025.  This would help to prevent disaster-related shortfalls to UVI’s HBCU grant funding. ***Plaskett amendment

·       Establishes a maritime emergency relief program for the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide financial assistance to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, and other port authorities, to cover operating and capital expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies.

·       Directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to reserve at least 18 percent of competitive grant funding for port infrastructure projects at smaller ports and terminals, including those in the Virgin Islands.

·       Provides additional assistance to small businesses in the Virgin Islands with securing opportunities in the federal marketplace.  Specifically, it allows federal agencies to transfer surplus property and technology to Virgin Islands small businesses; allows the Small Business Administration to develop incentives for Virgin Islands small businesses that are subcontractors as part of the agency's mentor- protégé subcontracting program; and permits additional mentor-protégé relationships under the program for protégé firms that are Virgin Islands small businesses.  ***Plaskett amendment

·       Requires the Coast Guard to report to Congress on drug interdiction in the Caribbean basin.  The report must include a determination of whether current hours and assets of the Coast Guard devoted to such drug interdiction satisfies Coast Guard mission requirements in the Caribbean.  ***Plaskett amendment

·       Makes the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories eligible for AMBER Alert system grants to help find missing children. 

“I am hopeful that President Trump will see the tremendous need for prompt enactment of this bill upon passage by the Senate, which is expected later this week.”

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