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Guthrie Votes to Support & Fund U.S. Troops, Efforts to Combat Sexual Assault & Mental Health Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Brett Guthrie today voted in support of the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides necessary authorization and funding for the U.S. military.

“Despite increasingly scarce resources, this bill balances budget limitations with vital national security requirements and protections for our warfighters and their families,” said Congressman Guthrie.  “Our men and women in uniform will be able to continue their great work defending our country and know that they will continue to receive world class care and support.”

The FY 2015 NDAA, the fifty-third consecutive version, builds on last year’s bill, which included substantial bipartisan reforms aimed to prevent and combat sexual assault in the military.  This measure will eliminate the “good soldier defense,” which previously allowed the court to consider general military character when weighing the probability of guilt or innocence in sexual assault prosecutions.  Victims of sexual assault will also be consulted about their preference for prosecuting offenders in a traditional court-martial or through civilian courts instead. 

The FY 2015 NDAA also authorizes an additional $18.8 million for behavioral and psychological health programs, primarily focused on combating suicide, and including funds to immediately increase the number of embedded psychologists, social workers, nurse case managers and operational psychologists.

Additionally, the defense bill authorizes supplemental funding to continue U.S. operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).  The funding is needed to continue U.S. operations and to continue training and equipping the Iraqi security forces, the Peshmerga, and moderate Syrian forces who are combating ISIL on the ground.

“ISIL has proven that they are a dangerous and credible threat.  This bill ensures that we continue to have the necessary resources to destroy them and put a stop to their efforts across the globe.”

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