House Passes HAF-Backed Provision in 2020 National Defense Authorization Act

Washington, DC (July 12, 2019) – Today, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) commended the passage of a HAF-backed amendment to the House Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Amendment 84, offered by House India Caucus Co-Chair and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia & the Pacific Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), along with Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ami Bera (D-CA), Ted Yoho (R-FL), George Holding (R-NC), Ed Case (D-HI), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), is a significant, bipartisan effort that reflects the “Sense of Congress” regarding improving US-India defense cooperation and requires a report on cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean.

“In recent years, a strong relationship between the United States and India has steadily grown as both countries share a unique bond based on common democratic values,” Rep. Sherman told HAF. “This amendment serves as an opportunity to build on the US-India strategic partnership to the benefit both of our nations,” Rep. Sherman added.

Amendment 84 includes language that is identical to the Senate NDAA Amendment that passed last week, which HAF also advocated for and highlighted during the 2019 HAF Advocacy Day on June 24. Sherman’s Amendment, however, also includes the “Sense of Congress” provision, which was omitted from the Senate NDAA during the amendment process.

With both chambers having passed the FY2020 NDAA with multiple differences, the legislation heads to a bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to sort through those differences and report back the legislation to each chamber for a final vote. That process is expected to begin next week with a final vote tentatively expected before legislators adjourn for the month-long August recess on July 29.

“The Hindu American Foundation commends Sen. Sherman, as well as Reps. Joe Wilson, Ami Bera, Ted Yoho, George Holding, Ed Case, and Raja Krishnamoorthi for their hard work in advancing the US-India strategic partnership,” stated HAF Managing Director Samir Kalra, Esq.

“HAF calls on Congress to take concrete steps to enhance the US-India relationship, thus ensuring that the natural bond of the people of both nations is advanced in the 21st century,” Kalra said.