Foxx Votes For Troop Funding, Military Pay Raise

Press Release

U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx today voted for a defense spending bill that provides a pay raise for U.S. military personnel, increases funding for military medical care and pays for the purchase and upgrade of military equipment.

"Each day hundreds of thousands of members of the armed services fulfill their oath to our country through their faithful service," Foxx said. "This legislation helps us keep our promise to these men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation."

The legislation (H.R. 3326) provides a 3.4 percent pay raise to armed services personnel and an additional $4.1 billion for military health care. Additionally, it includes $11 billion in funding for military readiness training. The bill also provides more than $100 for equipment purchases and upgrades.

"While I am pleased that we were able to give our brave men and women the pay raise they deserve, I am disappointed that this bill is funded at a lower level than the domestic spending bills that were passed by the Democrats in Congress this year," Foxx said. "We can do better."

The Democrat-controlled Congress this year increased domestic spending this year by 12 percent on average. In contrast, the defense spending bill, which passed today with a bipartisan vote of 395-34, included an approximately four percent spending increase.

The defense spending bill also includes unrelated provisions including an $11.3 billion unemployment benefits extension, help with health insurance premiums for unemployed workers, and funding for small business loan programs.

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