Click on the image above to view video of Ellmers' testimony

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this morning following her testimony on the Defense Department's proposed inactivation of Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing before the House Armed Services Committee (HASC):

"Yesterday, I testified before the House Armed Services Committee in order to draw attention to President Obama's misguided cuts and proposed inactivation of Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing. I'm grateful to Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for allowing me to testify on behalf of my constituents and the men and women of Fort Bragg."

"Pope Airfield's 440th Airlift Wing provides 33 percent of crucial Joint Airborne and Air Transportability training to the forces stationed at Fort Bragg. Eliminating the ability to rapidly mobilize, train and deploy with local commanders, aircrew, and aircraft that have an established relationship with our most in-demand forces would increase risk at an unacceptable rate. As the proud representative of Fort Bragg, I will continue to work with our military to ensure they have the resources to remain mission-ready as the dominant force for freedom throughout the world."

"I was also grateful for the opportunity to discuss my bill, known as the TIME Act. This legislation addresses a problem facing tens of thousands of military members and their families who are left navigating the bureaucracy of their health care benefits without adequate information and timely updates from their provider - TRICARE. For far too long, military families have been caught off guard by changes to policies and procedures regarding their benefits, leaving them ill-equipped to plan ahead and navigate their options effectively."

On Wednesday, April 9th, Congresswoman Ellmers testified during a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing entitled "FY 15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Member Hearing." This meeting allowed for members who do not sit on the committee to voice their opinions, concerns, and priorities for the 2015 fiscal year. Congresswoman Ellmers used this opportunity to address her concerns with the president's proposal to inactivate the 440th Airlift Wing located at Pope Air Field.

Additionally, Congresswoman Ellmers spoke about her bill, H.R. 4101, known as the TIME Act. This legislation would restructure TRICARE's notification process so that TRICARE has to notify beneficiaries and providers no less than 90 days before a change to coverage is made. This legislation was introduced after the Congresswoman spoke with several military families at Ft. Bragg, of whom experienced last-minute changes made to their coverage without receiving proper notification.

Click Here to view Congresswoman Ellmers' testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.

Click Here to view the letter from Ellmers and other Members of the North Carolina delegation in March to Secretary of Defense Hagel and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dempsey.

Click Here to learn more about Ellmers' TRICARE legislation, known as the Time Act.