America's Armed Forces are unequaled in strength, unrivaled in professionalism, and unprecedented in success. As our troops defend our nation in Iraq, and Afghanistan, we must ensure that our military stays the strongest fighting force in the world. As Nevada's soldiers and premier military facilities make valuable contributions to America's defense, I remain committed to ensuring that Nevada's military personnel and their families have the necessary resources and support. America's security must come first.

Highlight: Protecting Nevada's Military Bases

Earlier this year, the Pentagon had recommended shutting down Hawthorne Army Depot and realigning Reno-Tahoe Air National Guard base. I fought hard to convince the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission that the recommendation was based on faulty data and the facility should be protected. In the course of this evaluation I secured a hearing in Clovis, NM where BRAC Commissioners heard testimony about the impact of closing both of these bases. Additionally at my request, both the Chairman of the BRAC Commission, Anthony J. Principi, and Commissioner Phillip Coyle visited the Hawthorne Army Depot and the Nevada Air National Guard in July to see first hand the flaws in DoD's recommendations and received thorough briefings on this matter.

The Commission ultimately agreed and voted to protect Nevada's military bases. I am pleased that I was able to help the Commissioners recognize the importance of these installations to our state and our nation.

Strengthening Our Military

Funding Our Troops. I recently voted for passage of the fiscal year 2006 (FY06) Defense Appropriations bill, which includes more than $400 billion in defense spending. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I have always supported annual defense appropriations bills. Additionally, I have supported each of the Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bills, allocating more than $300 billion directly for our troops in the field.

Necessary Equipment for Troops. I am also concerned that some of our troops now fighting in the most dangerous combat zones do not have the necessary supplies or equipment they need for their mission. I voted to provide funding for up-armored humvees and body armor for our soldiers fighting the insurgency in Iraq. The Joint Chiefs of Staff had assured the Congress that the Defense Department would purchase the necessary equipment with these funds. I remain committed to providing our troops with the equipment and supplies that they need.

Increasing Military Pay. Our troops deserve a decent wage for their demanding work. That is why I have supported pay raises for active troops and increases in the Imminent Danger Pay (formerly known as "combat pay") from $150 to $225 a month and the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month.

Fixing the Hospital Reimbursement Policy. Previously, the Military Hospital Reimbursement Policy required military personnel wounded in battle to reimburse the government for their hospital food costs, at a rate of $8.10 per day. My legislation, adopted as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill in November of 2003, permanently ended the military hospital food reimbursement policy.

Easing the Travel Burden. I also appropriated funds last year for travel home for active and reserve troops during their two-week Rest and Recuperation Leave (R&R;). Under the previous law, soldiers were required to pay for their transportation on these leaves. This funding will help ease the travel burden for our troops.

On the Home Front

Tax Relief. With our troops deployed abroad protecting our freedom, we must also address the needs and concerns of their families on the home front. I fought for passage of the Military Family Tax Relief Act, which features tax breaks for members of the military and their families. Military and Foreign Service personnel, for example, can now count the years spent overseas toward the time they must live in a home in order to avoid taxation on any profit from its sale. Additionally, National Guard and military reservists can deduct overnight travel expenses related to military service from their taxes.

Free Postage for Packages to Troops. Receiving packages from loved ones at home helps to keep the morale of our troops high. To this end, I supported legislation that would have permitted individuals to send packages to Army Post Offices and Fleet Post Offices in hostile environments free of charge. I have also written the Postmaster General and the Secretary of Defense requesting that they implement a postage-free policy for families with loved ones in combat zones.

The Montgomery GI Bill. I strongly support increasing the benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill in order to keep pace with today's education costs. I wrote about improving the GI Bill in the Los Angeles Times.

Fighting for our National Guard and Reserve.

Funding. I secured $7.5 million in the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill for the Nevada National Guard. I also obtained $16.1 million in the FY06 Military Construction Bill for the Nevada Air National Guard to build a state-of-the-art intelligence facility. National Guard and Reserve forces are critical to our nation's defense. I am committed to assuring that our National Guard and Reserves forces have the tools they need to contribute to our nation's military.

Lowering the Retirement Age to 55. I am fully committed to sending a clear message that our nation values the sacrifice of our National Guard and Reservists. Working "one weekend a month" is no longer relevant to these patriots. That is why I want to work to lower the retirement age for these servicemembers.

TRICARE. I have supported and continue to support efforts to expand TRICARE, the military health care coverage, to members of ready reserves, as well as efforts to reduce the retirement age for members of the National Guard and Reserves.

A National Guard Bill of Rights. Additionally, I support a National Guard Bill of Rights that would provide Reservists and National Guard personnel with straight answers about their deployments, better representation within the Defense Department, and timely compensation, among other things.

Nevada Defense Projects

Nevada's military bases and other defense facilities play an important role in protecting this country and I am committed to ensuring they have the best equipment and facilities they need to train our Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen. In the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations bill, I obtained nearly $100 million for Nevada's military bases and rapidly growing defense industry. This money will help our state continue to expand and develop the role of safeguarding our nation. Specific funding for Nevada's projects include:

• $7.6 million for Hawthorne Army Depot.
• $14.5 million to Nellis Air Force Base.
• $3 million to UNR School of Medicine for high speed blood transfusion equipment that will allow wounded troops to get blood transfusions in the field, before they reach a hospital.
• $2 million to UNLV for lightweight blast containment vessel development that will allow emergency workers to cover bombs or terrorist devices and prevent damage from explosions.
• $1.8 million to UNLV for nanotechnology for detection of biological agents.
• $4 million to Desert Research Institute for the CAVE Automated Virtual Environment that will let troops train for realistic warfare situations in a simulator.
• $3 million to Desert Research Institute for Desert Terrain Analysis that will help the military maneuver personnel and equipment through desert terrain more safely.
• $8 million to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Sparks for a Helicopter Autonomous Landing System (HALS) that will help helicopter pilots land safely in desert sandstorms or other low-visibility situations.
• $8 million to Rocky Research of Boulder City for Thermal Management Systems for High Density Electronics, to help keep equipment cool enough to operate in desert conditions
• $5 million to Sierra Nevada Corporation of Reno for Scathe View Communications Upgrade Program, an infra-red detection system that can be used to detect small amounts of heat from a distance. The system was used to help find stranded people in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, and has also been used to find smoldering wildfires before they erupt.

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