Kilroy Supports Troops With Vote for National Defense Bill

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy's (OH-15) today supported H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011. This defense bill aligns our military strategy with the 21st century by focusing on the threats of today and preparing for the threats of tomorrow, wherever they may be. It passed by a bipartisan margin of 229-186. The bill also contained an amendment that repealed the current "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

"It is vitally important that we are fully prepared for the global threats facing our nation," said Kilroy. "As we head toward Memorial Day, it is important to recommit to our troops by increasing their benefits, making sure troops have the equipment they need, and strengthening our military readiness. I also listened to and agree with many military leaders, including those on my veterans advisory committee, and voted to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell'. The military has made it clear that in a time of war, we cannot tie their hands with a law that hurts our national security. The military and should have the ability to finish its ongoing study of how best to implement repeal."

"The Pentagon has appointed a Working Group to study how to lift the ban," said retired Maj. Gen. Denis Laich, a member of Kilroy's veterans advisory committee, in an opinion piece he authored this week. "Some think Congress should wait to repeal the policy until the Working Group releases its findings, due Dec. 1. But these calls for delay should raise eyebrows. The Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, has said this group is studying how, not whether, to lift the ban. The study should therefore not be used as a reason to delay."

The bill strengthens support for our troops and their families, by taking such steps as giving the military a pay raise of 1.9%, extending TRICARE coverage to cover dependent children up to age 26, increasing the maximum amount of hostile fire and imminent danger pay for the first time since 2004, and increasing the family separation allowance for our troops whose deployment requires them to live away from their families.

The measure strengthens our military readiness by authorizing $9.9 billion to fund the Army's and Marine Corps' equipment reset requirements, as well as authorizing $7.2 billion to provide the National Guard and Reserve critically needed equipment. It also provides a rapid acquisition account that allows our commanders on the ground to get equipment they need immediately.

This bill also supports counterterrorism efforts to provide the U.S. military with the additional tools they need to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies by enhancing the capacity of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, to act directly against terrorist organizations. It includes more protection for our troops at home by providing the funds to implement the initial recommendations of the Fort Hood Follow-On Review to fix vulnerabilities.

It strengthens nuclear nonproliferation by fully funding the budget request of $522.5 million for the DOD Cooperative Threat Reduction Program and fully funding the request of $2.7 billion for DOE nonproliferation programs. It also strengthens missile defense, supporting the President's new Phased, Adaptive Approach, which places the highest priority on our most immediate threats like North Korea.

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