Senators Warner & Webb Announce Senate Passage of Key Defense Provisions Affecting Virginia
Press Release
Senators Warner & Webb Announce Senate Passage of Key Defense Provisions Affecting Virginia
Senators John W. Warner (R-Va.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.), members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, announced that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2009 passed in the Senate today. The bill contains important provisions for Virginia, the defense of our nation, and the welfare of our men and women in uniform and their families.
As a result of provisions supported by both senators, the FY 2009 NDAA will improve military facilities throughout the Commonwealth, continue to support modernization and recapitalization programs, better equip the Virginia National Guard and provide a 3.9 percent pay raise for all uniformed personnel.
Senator Warner said, "If I had to point to one thing in my 40-plus years of public service that has meant the most to me, it is working with and learning from the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States. I have tried to pay back to this generation and future generations of men and women all of the wonderful things that were done for me. With this being one of the last votes that I will cast in my 30 years in the Senate, I have tried to do the best, and will continue to do the best, on behalf of the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families."
Senator Webb said, "This bill underscores the vital role Virginia plays in our nation's defense and meets our responsibility for the proper stewardship of our men and women in uniform while our nation is at war. The bill not only provides funding for important construction and repair projects at military facilities across the Commonwealth, but it also increases military pay by 3.9% and authorizes more than $25 billion for the Defense Health Program.
"I also want to acknowledge the superb leadership of Senator John Warner, who ensured that this important legislation was not derailed by political gamesmanship," continued Webb. "There is not a person in the United States military today whose life has not been affected in a very positive way by the career and leadership of John Warner. It has been a constant privilege to work in tandem with him on this, his final defense bill during a distinguished 30-year career in the Senate, and for the past two years in the United States Senate."
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