Amendment aids military bases damaged by earthquakes

Reps. Paul Cook (R-CA) and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) introduced Wednesday a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment as a means of aiding military bases sustaining recent earthquake damage.

The amendment includes damages sustained at Edwards Air Force Base, Fort Irwin, and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. It also calls on the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress within 90 days detailing corrective actions needed to ensure military readiness.

“Last week’s earthquakes damaged key military installations in the area,” Cook said. “Congress has a duty to ensure these bases are operational and mission ready. We owe it to our men and women in uniform that they have the best tools possible to defend our national security.”

An additional amendment provision requires an explanation regarding how construction projects would incorporate ways to minimize the threat from natural disasters in the future.

“Having seen some of the damage firsthand, last week’s earthquakes were devastating to NAWS China Lake and our community of Ridgecrest,” McCarthy said. “Despite the destruction, our American spirit has prevailed in the face of adversity, with people from all over the state coming together to help our neighbors. But we are still recovering.”

The legislators said the amendment authorizes $100 million to address China Lake’s needs while requiring the Department of Defense to modernize infrastructure and facilities at China Lake as part of the efforts to return the base to mission-capable status.