WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham voted today to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions that are important to the large national laboratory and military presence in New Mexico.

The defense policy bill includes critical funding for military bases and national laboratories, including 2.4-percent pay increases for service members. The bill also prohibits the Department of Defense from conducting an additional round of BRAC next year, which means there will be no consideration of military base closures.

"The national laboratories and military bases in New Mexico are critical to our national security and make up a large economic footprint in the state," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "As we strengthen the missions of those institutions, it is important to continually leverage those investments to the benefit of New Mexico's economy. As we have done with Sandia National Laboratories, I remain committed to expanding the commercialization of innovative technologies within the Department of Defense in order to promote start-ups and small business development in New Mexico and across the country.

The bill also updates the Uniform Code of Military Justice with new protections against military sexual assault including expanding special victims and sexual trauma counseling.

"Sexual assault and sexual harassment continue to be serious issues in our society and the military is no exception," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "We must continue to strengthen protections and expand services for our men and women in uniform as well as hold bad actors accountable."