Pearce Votes to Support our Troops and to Keep U.S. Secure

Statement

Today, by a vote of 278-149, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, H.R. 2685. U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce issued this statement following his vote for passage:

"Today, the House completed the funding process for our military by passing the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2016," stated Pearce. "In the last month, we also passed the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2016 and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2016. Now, we wait on the Senate to act on the same measures to fully support our military and veterans."

"The passage of this bill to fund our military could not come at a more pertinent time. Just this week, the President -- our Commander in Chief -- confirmed that he does not have a consistent, complete strategy in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Sending our men and women into harm's way without a well-planned and executed strategy is deplorable. Our completion of these important military policy and funding measures is all the more necessary should our President not be able to articulate our objective in the Middle East -- to at least provide them with the training and equipment they need for peak readiness, and support for their families at home.

"Critical to the success of the military is a strong foundation on the home front. This legislation ensures that our forces receive the 2.3% pay increase they so deserve and their basic housing allowance is funded 100 percent."

Pearce continued: "As the conflict wages on in the Middle East, H.R. 2685 ensure that our troops have the pertinent training, necessary equipment, and full support required for their efforts. The bill we passed today guarantees our men and women in uniform have the capabilities necessary to remain the most lethal, ready, and agile force. In this technology-driven age, our soldiers need the most advanced equipment and tools. To guarantee this, we have increased funding for future procurement and research. To ensure that they are the most agile force, ready to respond to any threat, this bill increases funding for operations and maintenance, deterring the creation of a so-called "hollow force." The world continues to throw new hazards our direction; we must continue funding the programs necessary for our warfighters to respond successfully.

NOTE: "Once again, in a politically driven move, the President has threatened to veto funding for our military and their families. I truly hope he can put politics aside to realize this bill remains within Budget Control Act caps created in 2012 and within the guidelines of the budget resolution passed by the House."

Source