Cramer: Troops Given Biggest Pay Raise in 9 Years, Includes Cramer's Gallegos Amendment

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer commended the final passage of H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2019 today in the House of Representatives. Once the Senate passes this legislation, it will head to the President's desk for signature.

NDAA provides a total of $717 billion for national defense budget including $616.9 billion for the Pentagon budget, and $21.9 billion for nuclear weapons programs under the U.S. Department of Energy. The bill would also authorize $69 billion for war costs under the special Overseas Contingency Operations account.

"This bill gives our troops the largest pay raise in nine years," said Cramer. "It is because of the service of our troops that we live in freedom, and we owe it to them to pass a strong defense bill to give them the benefits and equipment they need. I am also glad my amendment is included in the bill to honor the distinguished service of Staff Sergeant Justin Gallegos who sacrificed his life in the line of duty in Afghanistan."

Earlier this year Cramer and Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) offered an amendment to grant a waiver of time limitations so the Distinguished-Service Cross can be awarded to Staff Sergeant Justin Gallegos. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the U.S. Army for extreme gallantry in combat with an armed enemy force. Read more about the amendment by clicking here.

Clint Romesha, a Medal of Honor recipient living in North Dakota, fought with Staff Sgt. Gallegos in Afghanistan. Last year Romesha contacted Cramer seeking his assistance in remedying this oversight by the Department of Defense. A companion amendment was introduced in the Senate by Senator John McCain (R-AZ).

Additional Highlights for North Dakota:

$32 million to the North Dakota Army National Guard for a readiness center in Fargo. The Readiness Center will serve as a training location for three Army National Guard sections of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 191st Military Police Company, and the 112th Aviation Regiment.
Provides $172 million for modifications of the MQ-9 Reaper, flown by the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo.
Authorizes $66 million for a helicopter housing complex which will house the eventual replacements of the Hueys. Cramer helped lead an amendment to the 2016 NDAA that directed there be an acquisition strategy for replacing the Vietnam-era UH-1N Hueys that currently patrol intercontinental ballistic missile sites. He continues to press the House Armed Services Committee, as well as the Air Force, to replace the Huey's with minimum acquisition time and to expedite the replacement process.
Includes $288 million to replace the Huey helicopters.
Adds $142 million for the National Nuclear Security Administration to modernize the nuclear arsenal.
Provides increased funding to accelerate two key Air Force nuclear modernization programs: the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, and the Long-Range Standoff weapon, carried on the B-52.
Provides $220 million for RQ-4 modernization. RQ-4 drones are flown out of the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

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