2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The National Oceanic And Atmospheric
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act Of 2020, Which
Included Guidelines For Recruitment, Expanding Benefits, Establishing A
Student Loan Repayment Program, And Updating Sexual Assault And
Harassment Investigation Procedures. In December 2020, Fitzpatrick
voted for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "outline numerous requirements for the
recruitment, retention, promotion, and training of NOAA Corps officers.
It would extend certain benefits and requirements in place for other
uniformed services to NOAA Corps, including policies related to
employment and reemployment rights, housing and personal spending
allowances, and mental health services. It would authorize NOAA to
establish a student loan repayment program and an educational assistance
program for active and pre-commission officers, and to establish a
career flexibility program allowing officers to take temporary leaves of
absence. Among other provisions, it would update requirements for NOAA
response to reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault at the
agency, including to require thorough and prompt investigation of all
such allegations. It would extend to 2030 NOAA authority to enter into
transaction agreements to carry out research related to data and
satellite systems, and it would require NOAA to enter into at least two
contracts for charting and survey services by vessels, particularly in
the Arctic." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 265-124 and sent it to the President and ultimately became law.
[House Vote 233,
12/4/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/4/20;
Congressional Actions, S.
2981]