FY 2017 Defense Policy Bill Includes Key Provisions Authored by Congressman Gibson

Press Release

The Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Policy Bill approved by the House Armed Services Committee today features key provisions authored by Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) in support of our troops and their families, including the congressman's initiative to stop the planned drawdown of U.S. Land Forces.

The Defense Policy Bill, which now heads to a vote by the whole House, also includes Congressman Gibson's initiatives to enhance the readiness of the Global Response Force, provide troops with professional certifications that translate to the civilian workforce, and require the placement of current or former enlisted members of the Armed Forces on any panel charged with making changes to personnel policies.

The bill authorizes a 2.1% pay raise for members of the military, more Congressional oversight of suicide prevention programs, opportunities for space-available flights on military aircraft for disabled veterans, and provisions to ensure that military service dogs are properly cared for when they are retired from service.

"As a veteran, it has been a great honor for me to participate in this process, working with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee and their staff to craft legislation that gives our troops the resources they need to defend our cherished way of life, care for their families, and live life to the fullest following their military service," said Congressman Gibson. "I am especially pleased that this bill incorporates legislation I authored to stop the drawdown of our Army and Marine Corps to the lowest level since before World War II. Unfortunately, our ability to achieve peace through strength has steadily eroded after years of repeat deployments, unease among our allies, and misguided cuts that reduced combat readiness. Today's security environment is too dangerous to shrink our military, and I am hopeful this legislation is approved in the House and Senate and signed into law."

The Protecting Our Security Through Utilizing Right-Sized End-Strength (POSTURE) Act of 2016, a bill introduced by Congressman Gibson and co-sponsored by 53 Members of Congress from both parties to stop the troop drawdown, was included by the committee in the Defense Policy Bill and paid for with dedicated funding.

Our Land Forces--the Active Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Active Marine Corps, and Marine Corps Reserve--have gone from approximately 1.24 million Soldiers and Marines the day before 9/11 to approximately 1.38 million at the height of the Global War on Terror. Under the Administration's plan, the size of these forces would fall to approximately 1.19 million in 2018, the lowest level since before World War II. The POSTURE Act calls for a Land Forces total of approximately 1.25 million Soldiers and Marines.

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