WASHINGTON, DC . . . Tonight the House passed H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted in favor of the bill, which passed 283-136.

"Today's Defense Authorization extends necessary funding to our servicemen and women," said Hall. "The bill makes responsible spending cuts, while stressing the importance of keeping our troops safe as they protect our national security."

The legislation:

• Ensures our troops deployed to Afghanistan , Iraq, and around the world have the equipment, resources, authorities, training, and time needed to successfully complete their missions and return home;
• Provides our troops and their families with the resources and support they need, deserve, and have earned;
• Invests in the capabilities and force structure needed to protect the United States from current and future threats.

In addition, the bill clarifies language in previous defense authorizations regarding the military's responsibility and authority to detain al Qaeda terrorists. "With continued extremist and terrorist threats posed against the U.S. and our allies, it is important that the procedures ensure the safety of U.S. citizens. It is also important to note that the bill ensures U.S. citizens that their rights protected in the Constitution will not be impaired," stated Hall.

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