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Washington, D.C., Jun 17, 2009 - The Tri-Cities region of Virginia stands poised to benefit from the work of Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) as the House Armed Services Committee completed its consideration of the annual defense policy bill last night.  During the proceedings, Forbes, who is the Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, successfully pushed for full funding for Army BRAC expansion and increased transportation and Impact Aid funding to help localities deal with BRAC-related growth. Forbes’ position - the minority party’s equivalent of Chairman – also left him well-positioned to strengthen programs to assist local small businesses compete for DoD contracts.

“For our region, defense growth is economic growth.” Forbes said. “I’m pleased with the work done in Committee yesterday to improve local roads, schools and business opportunities as the communities around Fort Lee continue to adapt to BRAC expansion.”

Specifically, Congressman Forbes:

* Worked for $5 million for a Defense Access Road project to alleviate traffic congestion outside Fort Lee, Virginia;
* Supported the $4 billion in funding needed to complete Army BRAC 2005 and expanding growth at Fort Lee, VA; and
* Increased funding by $9 million for the Procurement Technical Assistance Program to assist local small businesses compete for DoD contracts, including those near Fort Lee, VA.
* Worked to include language urging the Virginia Army National Guard to keep its headquarters at Fort Pickett, Virginia; 

Congressman Forbes also supported an amendment which would provide funding for concurrent receipt, elimination of the SBP/DIC offset, and authorization of TRICARE coverage for Reserve Component retirees under the age of 60 upon receipt of retired pay.   

“The history of our government is marred with examples of broken promises. Retired pay is earned over the course of a career; disability pay is compensation for a loss as a result of service. One should not offset the other.  Yesterday we took another critical step in correcting this failure,” Forbes said. 

In addition, Forbes personally worked for a $65 million increase for Impact Aid, which provides funding for schools impacted by BRAC and he supported a 3.4% pay raise for active duty military families, which was 0.5% higher than the President requested. 

As part of the mark-up of the defense policy bill, Forbes introduced several key amendments widely credited with shaping the debate.  Those amendments focused on prohibiting the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States, combating an unprecedented level of secrecy at the Department of Defense, and ensuring that overall defense strategy is determined by security assessments rather than budgetary requirements.  The defense policy bill will now proceed for consideration before the full House of Representatives.