Jefferson County, N.Y. – Today, Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Chris Gibson (R-NY-19) held a listening session at Fort Drum to collect servicemembers and their families’ thoughts and perspectives on proposed changes to retirement and healthcare benefits in the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This listening session is the result of an amendment to the NDAA offered by Rep. Gibson and supported by Rep. Stefanik to delay changes to these benefits in order to give the Department of Defense an opportunity to hear from servicemembers and their families regarding any impacts, concerns or positive reactions to the proposed changes.
“As the proud representative of Fort Drum in Congress and the sole freshman conferee on the NDAA conference committee, this was an important opportunity to gather thoughts directly from servicemembers and their families on these proposed changes,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I look forward to bringing their important perspectives with me to Washington for our negotiations and I thank Fort Drum and Congressman Gibson for their participation today.”
“Having lived at Fort Drum with my family and been a proud member of the 10th Mountain Division, I am always delighted to travel to Jefferson County to spend time with troops and their loved ones and share my appreciation for the many sacrifices they make in defense of our freedoms,” said Congressman Gibson. “Today’s session was very helpful. Congresswoman Stefanik and I will continue our efforts to see that reforms to the military retirement system are carried out in the most thoughtful way possible, following ample opportunities for elected officials and the Department of Defense to talk with service members and build consensus across the Armed Forces.”
###
