Russell Votes to Prioritize Military Modernization, Troop Pay Raises

Statement

Congressman Steve Russell (R-OK) joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in prioritizing the needs of American troops and soldiers by voting in favor of the FY2019 Defense Appropriations Bill on Wednesday.

"As a former solider, I know how important having all the tools needed for training our warriors and executing our missions is," Russell, who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, said. "Adequate readiness can be the difference between success or failure -- and sometimes between life or death -- for our warriors. This bill makes sure our military has the latest modern technology to complete these missions and protect our country."

The FY2019 Defense Appropriations Bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority and boosts base funding for the military by $17 billion from FY18. The legislation also maintains Russell's requested level of funding for the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental of $71 million.

Thursday is the first time full funding for the Department of Defense -- and not a continuing resolution --has passed since 2007. It is the first time appropriations bills will have a timely enactment since 1997.

"Our soldiers can't make long-term strategies for our military and national security with short-term stopgap funding bills," said Russell. "Now they won't have to -- and that's good for our troops and for the safety of our country."

The $674 billion bill supports pay raises for all military personnel, ensuring troops are paid appropriately for their service. The legislation also includes more than $34 billion for the Defense Health Program, which will fund cancer research and address the growing number of traumatic brain injuries sustained by members of the military.

The bill will boost personnel numbers of service members to more than 1.33 million active duty warriors and 817,000 guard and reserve warriors.

The legislation also:

-Provides over $674 billion for our Armed Forces
-Increases funding for military readiness programs for troops to $243 billion
-Provides nearly $68 billion for the Global War on Terrorism efforts and ongoing Overseas Contingency
Operations
-Provides funding for 93 F-35 aircraft (engines and components sustained at Tinker Air Force Base)
-Provides funding for the MC-12, which is currently assigned to the 137th Special Operations Wing out of Will
Rogers Air National Guard Base
-Provides 2.6 percent pay raise for troops, the highest level in nine years

"Threats to our country are still all too real. Fully funding our military will make sure they are prepared to win all battles in their paths and keep America safe," Russell said.

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