CONGRESSWOMAN
ELLEN O. TAUSCHER
10
TH DISTRICT ~ CALIFORNIA

US House Seal


1034 Longworth HOB - Washington, D.C. 20515 - (202) 225-1880 (phone) & (202) 225-5914 (fax)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2006

CONTACT: Kevin Lawlor (202) 225-1880
http://www.house.gov/tauscher/

 

Rep. Ellen Tauscher Secures Over $86 Million for Travis in Defense Bill
Bill Signed Into Law Will Also Improve Pay, Keep TRICARE Co-Pays Down, Expand Health Care for Reservists

Washington, DC – Rep. Ellen Tauscher today announced $86.9 million in funding for Travis Air Force Base.  The projects, largely centered around the base’s C-17s, are part of the Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 5122), the legislation that outlines the Department of Defense’s operations for the year and sets the guide for annual spending.  The President signed the bill into law late yesterday. 

Rep. Tauscher was selected by her colleagues to serve as a member of the conference committee on this legislation – negotiating the differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill and fighting for Travis and C-17s throughout the process.  The measure also includes a number of key priorities that Rep. Tauscher has been fighting for to improve our military readiness at Travis and for troops deployed across the globe. 

Rep. Tauscher released the following statement on the Defense Bill:

“I am proud to have helped get this legislation passed through Congress with strong bipartisan support because it will create many positive changes for our troops and their families, especially those here at Travis Air Force base.  By adding to Travis’ C-17 facilities, improving pay for senior enlisted personnel and warrant officers, blocking the higher TRICARE pharmacy co-payments the President was pushing for, and providing health care for Reservists, this bill will go a long way to improving overall military readiness at Travis and across throughout the world.

“Our brave men and women in harm’s way deserve the best we can give them, and this law builds on years of work to improve both the readiness of our military as well as the lives of our fighting men and women and their families.”

-Rep. Ellen Tauscher
 

The Following are some of the key components of the Defense Authorization Bill that will strengthen Travis Air Force Base’s role as the nation’s airlift gateway on the West Coast.

FY07               C-17 Munitions Storage Facility                                  $6.2 million

FY07               C-17 Roads/Utilities                                                   $8.8 million

FY07               C-17 Taxiway Lima                                                     $8.5 million

FY07               C-17 Two-2-Bay Hangar                                             $50.4 million

FY07               Large Fire/Crash Rescue Station                                 $11.9 million

FY07               Reserve C-5/C-17 Squad Ops                                     $1.134 million (for Planning & Design)

                                                                                                             Total $86.934 million

The following are some of the key component of the Defense Authorization Bill Rep. Tauscher successfully fought to have included in the final bill.

Improve Military Readiness.  The conference report authorizes a $70 billion supplemental for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including $23.7 billion to replace and reset equipment lost or damaged in operations. Under the leadership of President Bush and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, the U.S. military’s readiness has dropped to historic lows. 

TRICARE for Reservists.  The conference report expands TRICARE Reserve Select to members of the Selected Reserves, and terminates the current three tier eligibility program.  Rep. Tauscher has fought to provide full access to TRICARE -- the military health program – to all members of the Guard and Reserve and their families for a low premium. 

Moratorium on President’s Increase in Pharmacy Co-payments. The conference report puts a one-year moratorium on any increases in retail pharmaceutical prices under the TRICARE system.  President Bush proposed to nearly double pharmacy co-pays for military families. 

Military Pay Raise.  The conference report authorizes a 2.2 percent pay raise, effective January 1, 2007, and includes a Democratic proposal to provide targeted pay raises for mid-grade and senior NCOs and warrant officers, effective April 1, 2007.

Payday Lending.  The conference report establishes additional financial protections for service members, prohibiting creditors from charging service members and their dependents annual percentage rates of interest for loans higher than the legal limit for state residents, or no more than 36 percent.

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