Rep. Foxx Supports National Defense Authorization, Veterans Reform Bill
Press Release
Today, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) voted in favor of HR 4435 the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House of Representatives on a 325-98 vote.
"Providing for the common defense is one of our most important Constitutional duties," Congresswoman Foxx stated. "I support the NDAA because it supports the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that make up our armed forces and keep our nation safe. The NDAA provides for a robust defense, includes a raise for our servicemen and prohibits administration-proposed Tricare cost increases for military families, all while abiding by the budget caps established in the Bipartisan Budget Act. These are just a few of the reasons why I support the bill."
The National Defense Authorization Act previously passed the House Armed Services Committee with unanimous support. The NDAA has been passed in each of the last 52 years. This year's bill authorizes $592.9 billion for discretionary defense programs in fiscal year 2015. That amount includes $79.4 billion in spending for Afghanistan and the war on terror.
Yesterday, Rep. Foxx voted in favor of HR 4031, The Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014, which cleared the House with 390 votes in favor and 33 opposed. This bill would give the Veterans Affairs Secretary more authority to fire poorly performing senior executives at the VA.
"The ongoing mismanagement and lack of accountability at the VA is shocking," said Rep. Foxx. "HR 4031 is a good start, but much more must be done to promote accountability and efficiency at all levels of the bureaucracy in this vital agency."
Both bills now await consideration in the Senate.
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx is currently in her fifth term as the Representative of North Carolina's 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education & the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.
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