Congressman Ander Crenshaw, a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today (6/16) supported House passage of the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill. The legislation, which now moves to the United States Senate for consideration, funds critical national security needs, including military operations and readiness programs, as well as pay increases and health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families. Additionally, Crenshaw included language in the bill reiterating the Committee's strong support the for the "2-4-6" cruiser modernization plan and chastised the Navy for its bid to return to the thrice rejected "cruiser layup" plan.
Crenshaw, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after House passage of the legislation:
"Sadly, we only need look in our own back yard - Orlando, Florida - to see that the world is a dangerous place and that national security must be our number one priority. While we seek answers there, threats from terrorist organizations like ISIL and aggressor nations, like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, continue. Our military must have the tools it needs 24/7 at home and around the globe. No mission is higher: that's why I so strongly support the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill.
"Funding for Tritons, P-8A's, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye's as well as DDG-51 guided missile destroyers and 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 DDG-51 guided missile destroyers are also homeported there. Naval Air Station Jacksonville is the East Coast home to the nation's P-8A fleet and Triton operations facility are also based there. Northrop Grumman manufactures E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes in St. Augustine, Florida.
"This comprehensive measure provides key resources now and in the future to keep our military trained and equipped to defeat and deter forces whose mission is to destroy freedom. Moreover, the legislation keeps faith with servicemen and women and their families women in uniform and their families by providing the pay and health and quality-of-life programs that they've earned and deserve."