Rep. Takano’s Bipartisan NDAA Amendment to Prevent Consolidation of Defense Media Activity Passes the House
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led a bipartisan effort supported by Members of the California and Pennsylvania Congressional House Delegations to pass an amendment to the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent the Department of Defense’s (DOD) efforts to consolidate Defense Media Activity (DMA).
Amendment #373 requires DOD to report to Congress on its current and future plans to consolidate DMA and prohibits any funding for such consolidation until 180 days after DOD submits said report. This amendment enhances Congressional oversight and effectively extends the prohibition on DMA consolidation.
“I am glad that this amendment to the NDAA has passed out of the House with strong bipartisan support,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “We are continuing to move in the right direction and fighting to protect the nearly 300 jobs of military and service personnel performing critical DMA activities at March Air Reserve Base in my district, and so many more across the nation. I want to thank my colleagues for making this a top priority.”
In April, Rep. Mark Takano warned about the potential risk of consolidation of DMA functions at March Air Reserve Base that could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and strongly opposed these efforts. Rep. Takano led a bipartisanletter with Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Senators Feinstein and Harris expressing concern and opposition to the Department of Defense’s ongoing effort to relocate Defense Media Activity (DMA) functions currently stationed at March Air Reserve Base, which would lead to the elimination of more than 300 military, civilian, and contractor positions.
As DOD looks to consolidate its DMA presence nationwide, the Department has failed to provide sufficient justification for its decision to reallocate DMA resources and staff such as demonstrating that such a move would not impact readiness or DMA’s ability to meet its mission requirements. Congress must have the opportunity to consider this impact before DOD is permitted to move forward.
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