MacArthur Supports Defense Bill to Protect Joint Base

Press Release

Today, Congressman Tom MacArthur voted in favor of the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2016 that included his provision to prevent the early retirement of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's KC-10 refueling tanker:

"Every day, we face new threats around the world like the rise of the Islamic State and a newly aggressive Russia. Our military must be prepared to meet these challenges and continue to project American strength abroad," MacArthur said. "Today's defense spending bill does that while also ensuring that the 40,000 local employees and servicemembers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst receive the funding and support they need in the coming year. Additionally, it fully funds a much-needed pay raise for our troops, ensuring we are caring for members of our Armed Forces and their families."

"As I've done for the last six months, I fought to protect the Joint Base in today's legislation, and took another opportunity to protect the KC-10 refueling tanker from retirement," MacArthur continued. "The KC-10 is critically important to our military's air mobility and readiness, but also to the survival of the Joint Base. It's our most capable and reliable refueler, and along with Congressman Norcross, I was successful in protecting it for another year."

The Department of Defense Appropriations Bill provides a total of $578.6 billion in discretionary funding for national security needs, military operations abroad, and benefits and programs for members of the Armed Forces and their families.

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