NDAA Includes Barragán’s Bill Designating the U.S.S. Iowa Battleship as the National Museum of the Surface Navy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Defense Authorization Act passed the U.S. House last night and includes Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán’s legislation to designate the battleship U.S.S. Iowa Museum as the National Museum of the Surface Navy. Once it becomes law, as expected, this bill will make the Battleship Iowa the first and only museum in the nation dedicated solely to the men and women who have served in the surface forces of the U.S. Navy.

Commissioned in 1943, the U.S.S. Iowa was the most powerful American warship of its time. The ship saw action across much of the Pacific during World War II and even transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the first transatlantic leg of his journey to the 1943 Tehran Conference with the other allied leaders. The Iowa was present during the Japanese surrender at Tokyo Bay 75 years ago and continued to serve our country throughout the Cold War. It was active during the Korean War and supported NATO in the 1980s after being recommissioned.

Since 2012, the battleship has been berthed in San Pedro, acting as a museum and monument to those who have served. The museum and its dedicated team also offer resources to educate students, including science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics programs, field trips, and the “Camp Battleship” youth overnight camping program aboard Battleship Iowa. Additionally, the Battleship Iowa Museum promotes veterans’ causes through hosting job fairs, Los Angeles Fleet Week, Memorial Day and Veteran Day ceremonies, and serving as a veterans’ resource center.

A video of Congresswoman Barragán, Rear Admiral Shatynski, and Museum CEO Williams aboard the Iowa speaking about the legislation when it was first introduced in September 2020 is available here, www.youtube.com/resolution-uss-iowa-as-museum-of-surface-navy 

The final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA) has been agreed to by leaders of both the U.S. House and Senate.  The Senate is expected to vote on it later this week.  President Biden must then sign it into law. 

The FY22 NDAA passed by the House this evening also includes two additional Barragan bills:

• Creating a program informing non-citizen military service members of options to become naturalized citizens. At both the time of enlistment and the time of separation from the military, non-citizens will be informed of existing programs or services that may aid in their naturalization process.

• The Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act, which will improve information sharing by putting more federal intelligence analysts and resources near high-risk surface transportation assets, including public transportation rail and bus systems. The bill would also provide new terrorism-focused training, and improve cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement partners.

Additionally, the FY 22 NDAA:

• secures a 2.7 percent pay increase for our men and women in uniform;
• invests in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help build a fairer and more diverse Armed Services; and
• makes key investments to address the threat of climate change and bolster energy resiliency.

A summary of all the provisions in the FY22 NDAA is available here.