President Bush Signs Defense Authorization Bill
Several Key Inhofe Provisions Benefiting Armed Services Included
October 14, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today welcomed the President's signature of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal year 2009.
"I am pleased that the Defense Authorization bill signed into law today includes several provisions that will greatly benefit our men and women in the Armed Services," Senator Inhofe said. "As a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I worked to ensure this legislation provides our military members with the training and equipment they require to succeed in their missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the globe. It authorizes acquisition of new aircraft, grows our fleet of ships, fully funds the Army's Future Combat Systems, and continues to grow the force. I am especially pleased that the bill provides a 3.9% across-the-board pay raise for our service men and women, reauthorizes over 25 bonus and special pay authorities, and does not raise TRICARE fees.
"Oklahoma leads the nation in ensuring our service men and women have the best equipment in the world, providing and maintaining weapons and equipment, conducting research, and developing and fielding new technologies. I believe the legislation signed into law today strengthens that proud tradition.
"I do believe much more could have been included for the sake of our military, but due to the failure of the legislative process, a number of important provisions were left out of this bill. The Defense Authorization bill was passed just before Congress adjourned forcing the Senate to cut debate over the bill short. Doing so meant only a handful of amendments out of more than three hundred were even considered. As a result, this important bill was rushed through Congress at the last minute and many important provisions were left behind."
Inhofe Priority: Oklahoma Military Families
"There are over 37,000 military families living in Oklahoma today and over 300,000 veterans - they are our neighbors and friends, attend our churches, contribute to our communities, and are a treasure to our state and this nation. Since September 11, 2001, over 26,000 troops from Oklahoma have deployed in support of contingency operations, fighting terrorism and extremism worldwide - over 5,000 are deployed today.
"Through my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have been steadfast in my commitment to improving the quality of care and services to America's veterans and the families that support them. This legislation meets that commitment."
Senator Inhofe successfully fought to provide increased annual medical and dental exams and restorative care to reserve component individuals and units. The bill provides funding for medical and dental care to meet readiness standards for members of the Ready Reserve who have been notified that they will be mobilized. It also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to waive co-payments for members of the Selected Reserve enrolled in the TRICARE dental insurance program during a time of national emergency in order to ensure members of deploying units meet dental readiness standards.
This bill also requires payment of previously authorized bonuses to the survivors of members who die on active duty and to individuals who are retired or separated for combat-related disabilities.
Further, the bill authorizes an increase of 7,000 Army Soldiers and 5,000 Marines which will relieve some of the stress on our Soldiers and Marines caused by frequent deployments.
Senator Inhofe successfully added several amendments during committee consideration in May, including legislation to establish a Traumatic Extremity Injury and Amputee Center of Excellence, require the Department of Defense to provide a report on nutritional care for wounded warriors, establish a paternity leave policy providing 10 days of administrative leave for new fathers, and allow veterans and service members not in uniform to salute the flag during the National Anthem.
Finally, the bill provides $55 million in DOD supplemental educational aid that will directly affect our local school districts affected by the assignment or location of military families.
Read More about Paternity Leave Amendment
Read More about the Salute Amendment that Will Allow Veterans and Service Members to Salute Flag During National Anthem
Read More about Traumatic Extremity Injury And Amputee Center Of Excellence
Read More about Report On Nutritional Care For Wounded Warriors
Inhofe Priority: Equipment and Training - the Best of Everything (Read More)
Senator Inhofe has made equipment and training a top priority through his position on the Senate Armed Services Committee. This bill provides our servicemen and women with the resources, training, and technology equipment needed to ensure our national security and continue combat and stability operations throughout the world
It fully funds the Army's Future Combat Systems - In the Spring, the Army informed Congress of its intent to change the near-term focus of FCS by fielding available capabilities to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, which are in high demand in the Global War on Terror, and deferring the fielding of these technologies to Heavy Brigade Combat Teams, which were originally slated to first receive the initial FCS spin outs. Funding in the bill supports the Army's plan to field proven technologies that provide immediate enhanced capabilities to the warfighter and fully supports the Army's requested program adjustments, as detailed below. (Read More)
As amended, S. 3001 authorizes $611.1 billion for national defense programs, $1.4 billion less than the sum requested by the President and authorized in the Senate-passed version of the original bill.
Finally, it provides $523 million to continue the F-22 fighter aircraft production line in FY 2010, but would prohibit spending more than $140 million until the next President certifies whether continuing F-22 production is in the national interest. (Read More)
Inhofe Priority: Building Global Partnerships (Read More)
The bill includes legislation championed by Senator Inhofe designed to build partnerships with other nations. "The ‘Building Global Partnerships' program will assist other nations and their militaries, enabling them to take an active part in maintaining peace and stability throughout the world," Inhofe said. "While I am disappointed the program in its entirety was not extended for three year, the program has been extended, increases funding for training foreign military and security forces, and provides funds to Combatant Commanders to promptly respond to emergencies throughout the world."
Inhofe praised the inclusion of funding for the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) whose principal focus is training peacekeeping forces so that countries in Africa can take the lead role in dealing with conflicts and problems. "One of America's greatest values is to help people help themselves, and AFRICOM is a testament to that philosophy," Inhofe said.
Inhofe Priority: Missile Defense (Read More)
The Senate passed bill also provides an additional $120 million for MDA's near-term programs -- Ground-based Missile Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, and Theater High Altitude Area Defense
The bill reduces funding for farther-term missile defense programs such as Space Tracking and Surveillance System, Airborne Laser, and Multiple Kill Vehicle, but adds $58 million for the U.S.-Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, Upper-tier and Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense. Further, the bill provides $467 million for the European Missile Defense sites and development and testing of the two-stage interceptor.
Importantly, the bill also includes $5 million for a Space-Based Interceptor Study. Senator Inhofe led the initiative for Space-Based Interceptor Study. This independent study will examine the feasibility of adding a space based capability to our missile defense system to defend our assets in space as well as help counter the ballistic missile threat.
"I am a firm supporter of our missile defense initiatives to counter the growing threat of ballistic missile proliferation. These weapons when topped with nuclear or conventional warheads threaten the safety and welfare of our nation and our friends and allies. I have consistently fought for full funding of the Missile Defense Agency and their research and development of viable missile defense technologies and defensive weapon technologies to include our efforts at securing radar and ground based interceptor sites in Czechoslovakia and Poland respectively. These sites will enhance our ability to defend against long range ballistic missile threats and are necessary to our national security and the security of our allies," Senator Inhofe concluded.
Related Links:
Defense Bill Update: Inhofe Floor Remarks In Support of Senator Vitter's Missile Defense Amendment
Defense Bill Update: Inhofe Speaks In Favor of Veterans Amendment: Amendment Would Fix the Unfair Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Offset
The McAlester News-Capital: McAAP Benefits From Big Defense Measure:
Tulsa World: TU receives $2.5 million for security research:
Tulsa World: BA Reserve Center In Funding:
Ponca City News: Sen. Inhofe Lauds Recent Passage Of Measures That Help UML in PC:
Lawton Constitution: Sill In Line For $125.5 Million:
Oklahoman: Funds Will Boost Tinker With Two Hangars, Clinic
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