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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC-01) today cast his vote in support of H.R.1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This legislation authorizes defense programs for the FY08 fiscal year, including authorization for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and sets the policy framework for the Pentagon for the coming year.
“This legislation is critically important to our service members both here at home and out in the field,” said Brown. “It provides much-needed increases in force levels and takes many steps to ensure that our armed forces are provided with the cutting-edge equipment they so vitally need.” Brown was especially pleased to see that the bill provides for troop increases of 13,000 for the Army and 9,000 for the Marine Corps, along with a 3.5% pay raise for all members of the armed forces in 2008.
The legislation authorizes $2.4 billion for an additional 10 C-17s to meet the airlift needs of our armed forces. “The C-17 wings at the Charleston Air Force Base have consistently distinguished themselves for their outstanding performance as the workhorses for our operations in the Middle East,” Brown said. “They are a vital link in these supply lines and recognition of the need to increase their strength is encouraging.”
Brown praised the inclusion of additional funding for force protection needs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom, including $4.1 billion for state-of-the-art Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. “In Protected Vehicles, Inc., and Force Protection, we have two outstanding defense partners addressing the needs for mine-resistant vehicles,” Brown noted. “I am confident that these two organizations will have the opportunity to continue supplying these critically needed vehicles to our armed forces.”
“Through my involvement in the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I am acutely aware of the needs of our returning forces,” Brown said. “This measure recognizes our responsibilities to those who have fought in defense of our freedom.” It requires that Walter Reed receive a steady level of funding and staffing until the new hospital at Bethesda is completed and incorporates the House-passed Wounded Warrior Assistance Bill to ensure case management of returning injured service members, which passed in late March by 426-0.
“I have been a long-time advocate of ending the unfair SBP-DIC offset on surviving spouses of military retirees,” said Brown. I am pleased to see this legislation include a monthly stipend of $40 to partially compensate these spouses. It is a good start towards moving forward with full repeal of this offset.” The bill also prevents fee increases and pharmacy cost share increases for our military retirees under the TRICARE program.
Brown voted against an amendment calling for all enemy combatants currently housed at Guantanamo to be transferred. “Previous proposals of this nature generally included provisions to move these detainees to military bases across the country. I will remain vigilant to carefully scrutinize any plan to bring these potential terrorists to our shores.”
H.R. 1585 passed the House by a vote of 397 to 27 and now moves to the Senate.
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