House Passes Military
Funding Authorization Measures
Rigell supports pay increase for troops, expansion of important sexual assault and behavioral health programs for military personnel, and refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington
Washington, D.C. – This week the House of Representatives passed two important military authorization funding measures: the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. The FY15 NDAA included Congressman Scott Rigell’s (VA-02) language to allow the DOD and NASA to coordinate environmental cleanup at Wallops, provides a pay increase for US troops, prioritizes service member safety, and maintains funding to refuel and overhaul the USS George Washington (CVN-73). Language for the FY15 NDAA was agreed upon by House and Senate Leaders this week, and the bill will come to the Senate floor for a vote this month.
Rigell, whose district is home to more men and women in uniform than any other district in the country, said: “Our service men and women, and their families, make tremendous sacrifices in defense of our freedom. We must give them our best, and that includes continuing to prioritize their safety and provide them with the tools they need to be successful. Passage of these important bills ensures we are meeting that obligation.”
The FY15 NDAA also expands important sexual assault and behavioral health programs, rejects cuts that would increase out of pocket costs for military families at commissaries, and prohibits further domestic Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in FY15.
Also included in the FY15 NDAA was Rigell’s language to allow the DOD and NASA to coordinate environmental cleanup at Wallops following the Navy’s previous use of the property as Naval Air Station Chincoteague, Virginia. Rigell, who represents Virginia's Eastern Shore, home to NASA Wallops, said: “I am incredibly pleased that Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore will have the tools necessary to work with the DOD and finish environmental cleanup.”
In addition to the FY15 NDAA, this week the House approved the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014. This legislation authorizes funding for the Coast Guard in Fiscal Year 2015. This bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
“Passing these bills before the end of the calendar year was vital, and I thank leaders in the House for ensuring that they were brought to the floor.”