House Gives Final OK to Defense, Hurricane Relief Funds
House Gives Final OK to Defense, Hurricane Relief Funds
December 20, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted yesterday for the final versions of two bills to fund military operations and provide additional assistance to the victims of this year's devastating hurricanes. H.R. 1815, the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, and H.R. 2863, the Fiscal Year 2006 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, passed the House by broad bipartisan votes of 374-41, and 308-106 with 2 voting Present, respectively.
"The capabilities of our military men and women are unmatched, and this legislation ensures that they will continue to be fully prepared with the resources they need to continue seeing the tremendous successes we have seen in the global war on terrorism," Dreier said. "I am also proud that we have included in this bill an additional $29 billion for hurricane relief activities, as we all know that this remains a top priority on the home front."
The defense authorization and appropriations bills include an across-the-board 3.1 percent military pay raise, an increase in active duty and national guard troop levels and $50 billion in emergency funding to continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Within the $50 billion in emergency funding are several items to increase force protection, including procurement of body armor and equipment to counter the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The hurricane relief funding will go towards construction of new levees, recovery of schools and grants to help rebuild affected communities.
Dreier also praised the inclusion of several local priorities in the funding bill. Chang Industry in La Verne will receive $8 million to continue developing technologies to defeat the threat of rocket-propelled grenades, City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte will receive $2 million for its biomedical imaging program, and AeroVironment in Monrovia will receive $6.8 million to develop an unmanned satellite communications and reconnaissance vehicle.
"California is a leader in researching and developing life-saving technologies for our military. I want to thank Appropriations Chairman Lewis for his recognizing the value of these important projects and approving this funding in the final bill."
http://dreier.house.gov/releases/pr122005.htm