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ROTHFUS VOTES TO PROVIDE FOR A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE AND TO PROTECT JOHNSTOWN'S 1-104TH

December 4, 2014

ROTHFUS VOTES TO PROVIDE FOR A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE AND TO PROTECT JOHNSTOWN'S 1-104TH

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after voting for H.R. 3979, the House-Senate compromise National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015:

“Providing for a strong national defense and supporting our servicemembers and their families are among our most important responsibilities,” said Rothfus.  “This bipartisan legislation ensures that our troops have the resources they need to respond to challenges in an increasingly dangerous world.

“Importantly, this legislation includes language that I championed to ensure that our National Guard, including the brave servicemembers of Johnstown’s 1-104th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, retain their Apache helicopters so that they can continue to heed the call to defend our nation both home and abroad.

“Additionally, the legislation makes strategic investments to restore readiness across the military and preserve the industrial base.  H.R. 3979 also takes steps to respond to an increasingly aggressive Russia.  Finally, it continues to build on important reforms to combat sexual assault in the military and stem suicide rates.

The NDAA passed the House in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 300-119 vote.  The legislation is a product of negotiations between the House and Senate and is based substantially on the original House-passed version of the bill (H.R. 4435), which was approved on May 22, 2014 by a vote of 325-98. 

More Information on the NDAA from the House Armed Services Committee:

Click here for more information on the NDAA.

More Information on Language Related to National Guard

(from the House Committee on Armed Services Summary)

National Guard: In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, America’s citizen soldiers have made repeated, heroic sacrifices in service to their country. Their service has made the Guard more than an operational reserve, but also a strategic resource. As funding cuts force difficult choices, Armed Services Members are working to preserve the appropriate balance between the active force and the National Guard and Reserve. Chairman McKeon appreciates the work Rep. Wilson (R-SC), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, did to find this balance in his mark. Consistent with the House passed NDAA, Armed Services Members include a provision that would establish a National Commission on the Future of the Army and prevent the transfer of any National Guard Apache helicopters in FY15. The provision also clarifies the limitations on the authority of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army with respect to the potential transfer of up to 48 AH-62 Apache attack helicopters in FY16 from the Army National Guard (ARNG) to the regular Army pending certification from the Secretary of Defense. The NDAA includes a provision brought forward by Rep. Wilson (RSC) and Rep. Enyart (D-IL) that commissions GAO to study the appropriate balance between the Active force and the Guard. National Guard end strength reductions, as well as the re-distribution of important Guard aviation assets are blocked in FY15. While this provision allows Congress time to study the issue in-depth, unless resource trends change, Active and Guard force structure will both take heavy cuts in FY16.

 

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