Securing Arkansas Military Family Priorities in Defense Bill on anniversary of D-Day

Seventy-five years ago this morning (June 6), hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers embarked on a ‘Great Crusade’ to liberate Europe from the Nazis. America and our allies dealt the Nazis a crippling blow on the beaches of France that day, turning the tide of the war. D-Day reminds us of the heroic sacrifices our troops have made for freedom. It reminds us as well of our nation’s strength when we’re united in a common cause.

Military families in Arkansas shoulder much of the responsibility in defending our nation, and we must ensure they’re treated with full respect. I’m pleased that so many of my bills to help Arkansas military families were included in the Senate version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, and I’ll continue fighting for these priorities as we move toward final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020.

As Chairman of the Airland Subcommittee in the Senate Armed Services Committee I worked to secured dozens of provisions in the annual defense bill, which now awaits consideration by the full United States Senate.

Several directly impact Arkansas military families.

These provisions address a range of issues, including expanding Arkansas’s State Veterans Cemetery, easing the process of military spouse licensing transfers, supporting U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific region, improving homeschool inclusion within JROTC programs, and updating burial honors for certain veterans.

• Allows Military Spouses to Transfer Occupational Licenses: Many Arkansas military spouses struggle with recertifying their occupational licenses as they move from state to state. The Portable Certification of Spouses amendment will improve the portability of occupational licenses. The bill will also help alleviate the burden military spouses bear when having to re-register a small business in a new state each time a service member changes station.

• Expanded Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery: Ensures we keep our promises to Arkansas veterans who choose to be buried alongside their brothers and sisters in arms by transferring approximately 141 acres from the Army National Guard to the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Includes Homeschool Students in Local JROTC Units: Mandates inclusion of homeschooled students residing in the geographic area served by a JROTC unit. The bill ensures that homeschool students who want to participate in JROTC can.

• Grants Full Military Honors Burial Rites: Allows Medal of Honor and Prisoner of War Medal recipients to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors, regardless of rank.

• Increases Security in Indo-Pacific Region: Encourages the Department of Defense to establish open-source intelligence fusion centers between the U.S. and the Pacific Island countries.

These centers will strengthen our valuable partnership with Pacific Island nations. Arkansas is proud to be home to the largest Marshallese population in the country.