Issue Position: Defense

Issue Position

America's national security is of utmost importance and as a constitutionalist, Dr. Gosar believes that providing for the common defense is the government's core responsibility. Dr. Gosar is a strong supporter of our troops and has consistently voted to provide our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to successfully accomplish their missions.

The world is not as safe as it once was and we are living in dangerous times. There are terrorist organizations like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) that are beheading innocent Americans and that want to cause significant harm to our country. Paul introduced the Bringing Terrorists to Justice Act, bipartisan legislation that directs the Secretary of State to offer a cash reward through the Rewards for Justice Program to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest or conviction of any person responsible for the deaths of four Americans, including Kayla Mueller--a Prescott, Arizona native, who were killed and tortured by ISIS.

Protecting our families and our nation from these lunatics is not an easy job and our armed forces sacrifice so much while consistently put their lives on the line. Dr. Gosar has proudly voted in favor of important military funding for our troops through the National Defense Authorization Act and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act seven different times. I have also voted to give our to give our troops a pay raise seven different times.

Pro-Military Votes:

Voted for H.R. 5293, Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Roll Call #332.
Voted for H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act. Roll Call #216.
Voted for H.R. 2685, Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Roll Call #358.
Voted for H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act. Roll Call #532.
Voted for H.R. 2397, Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Roll Call #414.
Voted for H.R. 2219, Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Roll Call #532
Voted for H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act. Roll Call #375.
Voted for H.R. 4974, which provided $7.9 billion for military housing, health care and construction. Roll Call #228.
Voted for H.AMDT.903 to H.R. 4870 to prevent divestiture of the A-10 Warthog. Roll Call #322.
Voted against H.AMDT.908 to H.R. 4870, which sought to prevent funds for our troops in Iraq. Roll Call #325.
Voted against H.AMDT.383 to H.R. 2397, which sought to cut defense spending by $5.9 billion. Roll Call #396.
Voted against H.AMDT.356 to H.R. 2397, which sought to cut $107 million for an important missile defense program. Roll Call #381.
Voted against H.AMDT.525 to H.R. 2219, which sought to cut $33 billion for combat operations. Roll Call #502.
Voted against H.AMDT.526 to H.R. 2219, which sought to cut $20.8 billion for combat operations. Roll Call #503.

The A-10 Warthog has been on the chopping block but Paul has worked hard to assist with continuing funding for this important aircraft. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base houses approximately 80 planes and has more than 8,000 employees. If the A-10 is retired, the base would likely close and these Arizonans would lose their jobs. Paul has voted several times to prevent divestiture of the A-10.

Paul voted for and the House provided approximately $50 million dollars for the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) hanger in Yuma in this year's defense bill.

Dr. Gosar has been fighting to prevent the retirement of the Search and Rescue unit at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS-SAR) in Yuma, Arizona. For more than 50 years, MCAS-SAR has provided an invaluable service to the greater Yuma region and is an important asset for assisting local law enforcement. The unit performed more than 70 rescue missions from 2010 to 2014 and played a critical role in the rescue of 28 boy scouts. Dr. Gosar offered an amendment and secured appropriation's language to help prevent divestiture of this important unit.

Paul has consistently supported funding for the F-35, another important plane for the Yuma Marine Corps Air Station. Paul voted for and the House provided important funding for additional f-35's in this year's defense bill.

Dr. Gosar is a cosponsor of the Enhancing Safety at Military Installations Act, legislation that seeks to repeal the outdated ban, which prohibits our troops from carrying firearms on base. This has proven to be extremely unsafe and resulted in the loss of life. Our service members should never be put in such vulnerable positions, especially as they are trained professionals.

Paul passed an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act that prevented more than $400 million dollars from going to ISIS, Hamas, Iran, the Palestinian Authority and other Foreign Terrorist Organizations and left that money in the Defense budget.

Dr. Gosar has been leading the charge to prevent members of Congress from flying first-class at taxpayer expense. In March of 2015, he introduced the Coach-Only Airfare for Capitol Hill Act, H.R. 2210. Paul believes that if members of our military can't fly first-class at taxpayer expense then members of Congress shouldn't either.

Dr. Gosar has passed multiple amendments to the Defense Act in recent years supporting our ally Israel and the country's right to self-defense.

Paul will always be a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform and seek to ensure they have the necessary resources to accomplish their missions.

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