U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS' BILL BANNING SALE OF F-14 PARTS TO IRAN PASSES HOUSE WITH MILITARY PAY RAISE

Defense Authorization Act supports troops, bolsters military readiness and demands accountability on Iraq

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ bill banning the sale or export of parts for the F-14 fighter jet won strong, bipartisan support today when the House of Representatives passed the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, was honored with an appointment to serve on the Defense Authorization Conference Committee that crafted the final legislation.

“I was pleased to help write this comprehensive legislation that will make America stronger and safer,” said Giffords. “It bolsters military readiness, supports military families and demands much-needed accountability on the mismanaged war in Iraq.”

The act passed the House this afternoon in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 370 to 49.

Giffords’ F-14 bill is aimed at making sure American-made military hardware cannot be used against the United States or our allies. It will prevent an estimated 10,000 unique F-14 parts from ending up in Iran, the only country still flying the supersonic warplane.

“The House spoke today with a loud, clear and unified voice to make sure that we are not arming a hostile country with sensitive spare parts that they could use against us or our allies.” Giffords said.

The $500 billion National Defense Authorization Act provides funding for what the Tucson lawmaker called “the finest military force in the world.” It also includes Giffords’ legislation to improve mental health treatment at military hospitals in the Wounded Warrior Assistance provisions.

“We must serve our troops with the same level of dedication they demonstrate daily,” Giffords said. “We did so by passing this legislation to provide them with the best training, equipment and support possible.”

This bill has a significant impact on Southern Arizona. It includes:

More broadly, the act addresses the critical needs of a nation at war. It also:

• Provides for the immediate needs of our troops in the field: $17 billion for IED-defeating MRAP vehicles, $1.2 billion for body armor, and $3.3 billion for uparmored humvees;
• Provides essential funding for military readiness: $18.4 billion to address critical equipment needs for the Army, $8.6 billion for Marine Corps equipment, and $980 million for National Guard equipment;
• Provides a $1 billion emergency readiness fund to allow Department of Defense to address urgent equipment needs; and
• Increases the size of the Army and Marine Corps to ease the strain on the force.

“We need the best and brightest in our armed forces. We must retain those men and women by providing them with the best training and best equipment,” said Giffords. “From Southern Arizona to Afghanistan, we must ensure that our men and women are ready to face any challenge. The legislation we passed today will achieve that.”

To see the congresswoman speaking in support of the act on the floor of the House earlier today, go to the “Press Center” page of her website, http://giffords.house.gov/, and click on “video library.”