Brooks Supports, House Passes Major Defense Funding Bill
Statement
Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted "Yes" on H.R. 6157, the Fiscal Year 2019 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which passed the House 359-49. Congressman Brooks serves on the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Strategic Forces and Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittees.
Brooks said, "America's military must have the personnel and equipment necessary to protect our national security. As I have with every other defense appropriations bill since I've been in Congress, I voted "Yes' on the FY19 Defense Appropriations Act to support our military. Slowly but surely, Republicans have diligently worked to rebuild America's military after the damage done by sequestration cuts. As an aside, I was one of only two Alabama Republican Congressmen who foresaw the damage sequestration would do to our national security and voted against sequestration in 2011."
Brooks continued, "The FY19 Defense Appropriations Act further rebuilds our armed forces, restores readiness, and supports our warfighters by providing $674.6 billion in total defense funding, including $68 billion for the War on Terrorism. The bill also includes a 2.6% raise for our troops and provides $245.9 billion for training, maintenance, and base operations-- things central to maintaining America's military might."
Brooks continued, "The FY19 Defense Appropriations bill includes significant wins for the Tennessee Valley defense community. To highlight a few, the bill includes robust funding for the Improved Turbine Engine, Hypersonics development, Standard Missile 3, Terminal High Altitude Air Defense, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, $92 billion is provided for research and development of new defense systems and technology, and $146 billion is provided for procurement of the resources, weapons, and platforms for our troops."
Brooks concluded, "Providing the necessary resources for a strong national defense is Job #1 for Congress. The FY19 defense appropriations bill passed today not only enhances America's national security, it tells our allies and enemies that America has the fortitude and ability to protect our interests around the globe."
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