FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             CONTACT: Kevin Lawlor, 202/225-1880

January 16, 2008                                                                  www.tauscher.house.gov

Rep. Ellen Tauscher Backs Plan to Strengthen Military and Support Our Troops

Despite delay caused by President Bush’s veto, Congress ensures our troops will get the pay raise, bonuses, and other critical benefits they deserve                                                                                                                                                                                          

Washington, DC - Rep. Ellen Tauscher, Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, today joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority and backed a plan to strengthen our military, support our troops and improve military readiness.    The Defense Authorization Bill was approved by a vote of 369-46 and is expected to be passed by the Senate as soon as it returns next week.  The Bush administration has said that the President will sign the bill.

“This was a strong bill back in December and it is still a strong bill today,” said Rep. Ellen Tauscher.  “The President put political gamesmanship above the troops, their safety, and the readiness of our military by holding this bill up for over one month, but the Congress has once again delivered on behalf of the men and women of our Armed Forces who deserve these critical benefits. 

The bill passed today includes a revised provision – developed on a bicameral and bipartisan basis – which addresses the belated concerns raised by the Administration.  The legislation also includes provisions ensuring that the military pay raise, as well as special pays and bonuses for the troops, are retroactive to January 1.

The Defense Authorization bill authorizes new resources for additional Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs,) up-armored humvees and body armor. The legislation also includes resources for efforts to stop Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that are the leading threat to American troops in Iraq.   The legislation also includes critical support for troops and their families by providing a 3.5% pay-raise for troops as well as vital survivor benefits.

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