Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) introduced a package of legislation to improve transparency in the military and protect servicemembers’ health and financial well-being. These bills were submitted for consideration as amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but House Republicans blocked them from a vote on the floor. Five of the six legislative proposals passed as part of previous House NDAAs with broad, bipartisan support, while the other is a new proposal that was cosponsored by three Republicans. 

“The American people are eager for more accountability at the Pentagon, but Congress is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to oversight of the Department of Defense,” said Rep. Porter. “Limiting the influence of special interests and protecting servicemembers from predatory practices are smart policies that make our military work better and help keep us all safe. I will not let House Republican leaders deter me from delivering the accountability that Americans deserve from our government.”

Prohibit Pentagon Profiteering Act

• Prohibits senior defense officials from trading or owning stock in companies that received over $1 billion from the Pentagon in the previous calendar year. 

Restrict Conflicted Lobbying Act

• Extends the time period senior officials from the Department of Defense and other executive branch agencies must wait until they can lobby their former agency, from one year to two years.

Healthy Servicemembers Act

• Requires screening and assistance for servicemembers who suffer from health conditions due to unsafe housing during their service.

Credit Monitoring Integrity Act

• Protects servicemembers from credit reporting agencies that engage in misconduct related to free credit monitoring services provided to members of the military.

End Servicemember Forced Arbitration Act

• Protects servicemembers from forced arbitration policies in disputes covered by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Disaster Mitigation through Military Service Act

• Allows the Department of Defense to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of hardening existing infrastructure for disaster mitigation.

Rep. Porter is a champion for accountability at the Pentagon. In a recent hearing, she called outwaste, fraud, and abuse in our military spending using ‘JeoparDoD,’ highlighting the issue for millions of Americans. As co-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition’s Climate and National Security Task Force, Rep. Porter has led efforts to protect our national security and planet by improving climate resiliency in our military and pushing for sustainable practices at home and abroad. 

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