Crenshaw Demonstrates Continued Commitment to National Security and Military

Press Release

Continuing his fight to strengthen defense and provide our military with the tools it needs to protect our national security, Congressman Ander Crenshaw, a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today (6/11) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Appropriations Bill on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

Crenshaw, who also chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, issued the following statement on the House-passed legislation which funds critical national security needs at home and around the globe and health and quality-of-life programs for the military and their families.

"While Harry Reid continues to play politics with our national security, threatening to veto the Senate consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act and calling it a "waste of time,' funds, I am proud to take another step to strengthen national security on the First Coast and around the globe and invest in key programs for our military.

"That's what I did with my vote to pass the NDAA in the House on May 15th and with my vote today (6/11) to pass the comprehensive, bipartisan Defense Appropriations bill for the coming fiscal year. In the face of constant threat against our country and her people from forces who wish to destroy freedom, we must remain vigilant and united in the Global War on Terror. It doesn't appear that Harry Reid and those who are following him feel the same way.

"My commitment to keeping America safe is to keeping America strong. The Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Appropriations Bill achieves this goal by investing funds in projects to protect national security and ensure our military has resources it needs to get the job done. Moreover, the legislation keeps faith with our men and women in uniform and their families by providing the health and quality-of-life programs that they've earned and deserve.

"Funding for P-8A's, Tritons, and MH-60R's as well as funding for training systems for the Littoral Combat Ships, demonstrate our commitment to strategic planning in the mission to protect national security. These defense assets will be spread throughout the country, including Northeast Florida bases. Naval Station Mayport is the designated homeport for the East Coast LCS fleet and Naval Air Station Jacksonville is the East Coast home for the MH-60Rs, and the nation's P-8A fleet and Triton operations facility are also based there.

"Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for our freedom, and their families endure enormous sacrifice. This bill recognizes that devotion by fully funding the authorized 2.3 percent pay raise for the military, instead of 1.3 percent as requested by the President, and provides funding to maintain 100 percent of troop housing costs through the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

"Additionally, the legislation includes $133.2 billion -- $122.8 billion in base funding and $10.5 billion in Global War on Terrorism funding -- to provide for 1,308,915 active-duty troops and 819,200 Guard and reserve troops. This funding level is $225 million above fiscal year 2015, and provides critical support for the Global War on Terror and the defense of our nation."

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