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Today, the House of Representatives passed the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act, which included amendments offered by Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Chairman of the House Government Operations Subcommittee. Connolly’s provisions included the FedRamp Authorization Act, Global Health Security Act, Safe Homefront Act, and protections for whistleblowers and expansion of telework.

“I thank the House Armed Services Committee, Chairman Smith, and Ranking Member Thornberry, for including these provisions that will streamline government, protect national security, prevent servicemembers with domestic violence convictions from obtaining firearms, and help our country respond to the coronavirus pandemic, ” said Connolly.

The following provisions were included in the legislation headed to the Senate.

FedRAMP Authorization Act (H.R. 3941): Reforms and codifies the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). The House passed this bipartisan measure in February 2020.

Global Health Security Act (H.R. 2166): Re-establishes the government-wide lead for pandemic response, establishes an Interagency Review Council charged with implementing U.S. commitments under the Global Health Security Agenda, and requires a global health security strategy. The House Foreign Affairs Committee previously passed this legislation in March. Reps. Connolly and Chabot penned an OpEd for The Hill on the need for this legislation.

Safe Homefront Act: - Codifies existing policy requiring DoD to report to National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) servicemembers with felony domestic violence convictions who are prohibited from purchasing firearms pursuant to current law. Similar legislation was offered in September 2019, by Reps. Connolly, Peter King, and Mike Turner.

Telework for U.S. Innovation Act (H.R. 7448): Authorizes permanently the United States Patent and Trademark Office teleworking pilot program established by the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced earlier this month.

Whistleblower Expansion Act of 2019: Clarifies that qualifying subcontractors and subgrantees are afforded whistleblower protections against reprisal when disclosing information about gross mismanagement or waste of federal funds.

Since coming to Congress, Connolly has had more than 45 amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act adopted in the House, including the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA), which was enacted in law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2014.