Washington, DC – Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) voted Thursday to provide for enhanced troop protection measures as well as a 3.5 percent pay raise for all members of the military in 2008.

   The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 1585) passed the House 397-27.

   “This bill addresses a wide range of needs facing our current armed forces,” said Neugebauer.  “It is essential that we continue to reward the brave men and women serving in our military with a much-deserved pay raise.  It is also vitally important that we take necessary steps to protect those troops currently fighting on the field of battle.”

   In addition to the 2008 pay raise, H.R. 1585 provides for guaranteed pay raises in 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well as increases of 13,000 Army and 9,000 Marine Corps active duty personnel.  The bill also allocates $1 billion for National Guard equipment.

   The bill also addresses the immediate need to increase troop protection measures for those currently fighting on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It includes $4.1 billion for state-of-the-art Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

   Another key area of the bill opens the Combat-Related Special Compensation program to some disabled retirees who have been forced from service short of the normal retirement age because of service-connected injuries or ailments.

   While supportive of the overall bill, Neugebauer did express concern that H.R. 1585 comes up short in dealing with our missile defense systems.

   “This bill fails to provide adequate funding for a robust, layered, and effective missile defense system,” said Neugebauer.  “With North Korea testing missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland, and Iran inching ever closer to a nuclear weapon, we should be doing whatever it takes to develop cutting-edge technology that can protect the citizens of our country.  I urge the Senate to address this issue when it takes up the bill.”