Murkowski Proud to Modernize NOAA Officers Program
Senator Co-Sponsored Legislation to Align Benefits, Opportunities with Forces
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Lisa Murkowski is proud the bipartisan bill she co-sponsored, S. 2388, the NOAA Commissioned Officers Corps Amendment Act, passed the United States Senate unanimously tonight – assuring that present and future NOAA Corps members operating ships and aircraft receive the same benefits and conditions granted to those who serve in the other six uniformed service of the United States.
“The men and women who make up the NOAA Corps are our eyes and ears on Alaska’s key frontlines – fisheries, ocean mapping and engineering,” said Murkowski. “We must make sure there are similar incentives and training as the Army or Air Force, so we can draw the finest candidates possible. As chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus and an advocate for our Arctic Nation, we must back efforts that pave a solid road forward.”
The bill:
- Creates tools to improve recruiting and retention, with a special focus on women and minorities.
- Streamlines procedures for appointment and promotion of junior officers.
- More closely aligns Corps with other services, improving their ability to both support NOAA missions and be a useful national security asset.
Senator Murkowski’s co-sponsored this legislation with Senators Begich, Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), her Oceans Caucus Co-Chair Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and the late Daniel K. Inouye.
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