The committee passed by a vote of 60-1, H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007.  The bill authorizes $512.9 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The legislation includes $50 billion in supplemental funding to support current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism.

Among other items, the bill provides a 2.7 percent pay raise for members of the armed forces, blocks a proposed fee increase for retirees under the TRICARE Standard health program, zeroes out co-pays for generic and formulary mail order prescriptions, and authorizes additional funding for force protection needs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including up-armored Humvees, Humvee IED protection kits and gunner protection kits, improvised explosive device (IED) jammers and state-of-the-art body armor.

“Our troops deserve the very best we can provide and the Armed Services Committee is constantly working to equip them with what they need to win on the battlefield,” said Hefley.  “I think this bill looks out for the needs of our troops and I am very pleased with the work the committee has done.  I am also pleased with the provisions in the bill for Colorado’s military installations.  We need to be prepared for the future changes expected at the installations in our state and I think this bill helps us do that.”

The bill provides for the continuation of the Fort Carson Buffer Zone project by providing $50 million for the secretaries of the military departments to use to enter into agreements to prevent or limit the use of property around military installations that are in danger of encroachment. 

The bill also provides $84 million for the first increment of Division HQs at Fort Carson as well as $118 million for the second increment of a Brigade Combat Team Complex. 

Hefley included a provision in the legislation that directs the DoD to make every effort to use willing sellers when acquiring land for military purposes and to only use condemnation or eminent domain as a last resort.  The provision would also require the DoD to submit a report certifying the Secretary of Defense has done so. 

Other military construction projects provided for in Colorado include: 

Fort Carson

·        $24 million for Airfield Arrival/Departure complex (phase 2)

·        $26.1 million for Special Operations Command Combat Service Support Complex

·        $6.8 million for Utility Upgrades (Phase 1)

Pueblo Depot

·        $41.8 million for Ammunition DeMil Facility (Phase 8)

Peterson AFB

·        $4.9 million for Command Complex Force Protection (Land Acquisition)

Schriever AFB

·        $21 million for Space Test & Evaluation Facility

Buckley AFB

·        $10.7 million for Consolidated Fuels

·        $3.1 million for Air Sovereignty Alert Crew Quarters 

In honor of Hefley’s support of military families and his lead role in legislating the Military Family Housing Privatization Initiative, HASC Chairman Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and ranking member Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., offered an amendment that requires the Secretary of the Army to designate one of the privatized military family housing areas or structures at Ft. Carson the “Joel Hefley Village.”

The bill is expected to be considered on the House floor next week.