Washington | December 16, 2009 - Today, Delaware Congressman Mike Castle voted to authorize appropriations for the Department of Defense in Fiscal Year 2010.  H.R. 3326, the Defense Appropriations Conference Agreement, provides $636.3 billion in funding for the Department, of which at least $128.3 billion is to be used for current war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"With the impending increase of troop levels in Afghanistan and continuing operations in Iraq, it is imperative that we support our military both at home and abroad," said Rep. Castle.  "These appropriations will help ensure our military has the tools and protective equipment necessary to advance the interests of the United States while they serve.  This bill also provides a much deserved 3.4 percent pay increase to the men and women of our armed services, as well as millions of dollars to support the National Guard and military families who have sacrificed so much.

"I am also pleased that the measure included important extensions for unemployment insurance, COBRA, and food stamps to assist individuals and families during this tough economic time.  Additionally, while I remain strongly in favor of a permanent solution to the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate formula to ensure physicians are fairly reimbursed and Medicare beneficiaries have access to the health care they need, Congress was able to block a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates."

Specifically, H.R. 3326 provides:

• Two-month extensions for unemployment benefits, COBRA health insurance subsidies for laid-off workers
• Blocks a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates
• $400 million for the administrative costs of the federal food stamp program
• $128.3 billion to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and general military efforts against terrorism
• Funds to provide troops extra pay for every month their term of service will be involuntarily and arbitrarily extended in 2010
• $6.6 billion for training and equipping the Afghanistan National security forces
• $6.3 billion to purchase 6,600 light weight Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles (MRAP)
• $2.5 billion for 10 additional C-17 transport planes
• $472 million for family advocacy programs and Army National guard family assistance centers and reintegration
• $30.5 billion for the defense health program
• Reports from the Secretary of Defense pertaining to the progress and goals in Iraq and Afghanistan