Congressman Guthrie's Statement On The Passage Of The National Defense Authorization Act
Press Release
"We are in a time of war and must do everything we can to support our troops. I am disappointed with Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership inappropriately attaching a completely unrelated Hate Crimes' bill to a historically bipartisan piece of legislation.
"This bill is intended to provide the resources that our military needs and deserves, including a 3.4 percent pay increase for our soldiers. It also supplies General Stanley McChrystal with the critical funding necessary to successfully execute and win the War on Terror.
"I voted against the Hate Crimes Prevention Act earlier this year and would have opposed it this time if it were a stand-alone bill. However, it is imperative that we continue to support our service men and women who sacrifice every day for our freedoms."
BACKGROUND
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes:
A 3.4 percent across-the-board pay raise for our troops
Increases active duty end strength by 55,227 over Fiscal Year 2009 levels, which is essential for easing the burden on our current forces
Prohibits any fee increases to TRICARE Prime and/or TRICARE Standard
Includes the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, which would facilitate military and overseas voters to register to vote and have their ballots cast and counted.
Provides General Stanley McChrystal, the senior commander of U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan, with the following critical funding needed to successfully prosecute the war: $1.3 billion for the Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP); $7.4 billion for the Afghan National Security Forces Fund (ANSFF), which are key to increasing the size of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF); and $500 million to rapidly build facilities needed to support the war in Afghanistan.
Additionally, the bill includes $6.7 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, $1.3 billion to upgrade Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, and $6.9 billion to address equipment shortfalls in the National Guard and Reserves.
Source