Rep. Tom Graves, House Pass Major National Security Bill

Press Release

Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Make America Secure Appropriations Act (H.R. 3219), legislation funding the Defense Department, the Veterans Affairs Department, federal energy and water programs, and the Legislative Branch of government:

"This bill is an America First funding bill that will help keep Georgians and all Americans safe. It provides essential funding to strengthen the military, begin construction of the border wall, improve care for veterans and enhance congressional security. It also expands Georgia's contribution to our national defense by making key investments in Fort Gordon, Robins Air Force Base and more. I'm proud to help President Trump deliver on his promise to Make America Secure."

Below is a list of the bill's highlights:

Largest rebuild and increase in military funding since Ronald Reagan was president, providing an additional $68.1 billion to strengthen the military;
Includes $1.6 billion for the construction of physical barriers at the border;
Authorizes an increase in the size of the military to address the threats against the United States, including growing the Army by 17,000 active-duty, Reserve and Guard soldiers;
Provides for a 2.4 percent pay raise for servicemembers;
Provides the highest level of funding ever for the seven million veterans who utilize the Department of Veterans Affairs, including funds for mental healthcare, suicide prevention, homeless veterans services and opioid abuse treatment;
Increases funds for Department of Energy nuclear weapons programs by $976 million;
Safeguards America's sacred relationship with Israel by maintaining critical funding for joint defense and security programs;
Supports projects to increase district security and provide additional funds to Capitol Police for training, equipment, and technology
Provides $103 million for A-10C Warthog wing upgrades, which will help preserve close-air support capability provided by units like those at Moody Air Force Base;
Provides $417 million for the recapitalization of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) fleet, which is flown out of Robins Air Force Base;
Includes $8 billion for cyber operations -- an increase of $1.7 billion -- including cyber operations at Fort Gordon;
Provides authorization for 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which are manufactured in Marietta, Georgia;
Authorizes upgrades to 85 M1A2 Abrams tanks and 93 Bradley Fighting vehicles, which will benefit the armored brigade combat teams at Fort Stewart;
Provides $43.3 million in Military Construction for a Combat Vehicle Warehouse at Albany Marine Corps Logistic Base;
Provides $10.8 million for an Air Traffic Control Tower at Fort Benning, Georgia;
Provides $32 million for an Air Force Reserve Command mission complex at Robins Air Force Base;
Provides $79.5 million for facilities at Fort Gordon, including new cyber instructional facilities.

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