Griffin: NDAA Funds Our Military, Provides "Good News for Little Rock Air Force Base'

Press Release

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after House passage of the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (H.Res. 441 - NDAA):

"Funding our nation's military is critical, and this year's NDAA gives our troops a much-deserved pay increase, blocks President Obama's proposal to create or increase military health care fees, requires religious protections for military chaplains and servicemembers, combats the scourge of sexual assaults and addresses the growing threats posed by cyber attacks. It also would require a review of eligibility for Purple Hearts to Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula and Pvt. William Long, the victims of the Little Rock Recruiting Station shooting, and require the Air Force to continue the modernization of our C-130 legacy aircraft, which is good news for Little Rock Air Force Base. I was proud to vote for this bipartisan bill that supports our troops and their families."

The NDAA authorizes $552.1 billion in spending for national defense and an additional $80.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations.

Section 565 of the bill requires a review of eligibility for the Purple Heart to victims of the attacks at the recruiting station in Little Rock and at Fort Hood, Texas. Since his election to Congress, Rep. Griffin has sought to have the Purple Heart awarded to these individuals and fought to include this language in the NDAA.

Section 133 of the bill prohibits the cancellation or modification of the avionics modernization program (AMP) for C-130 aircraft.

Source