House passes 2017 Defense Policy Bill, including legislation authored by Congressman Gibson to stop the drawdown of U.S. Land Forces
Washington,
May 19, 2016 -
Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) announced the passage in the House last night of the 2017 Defense Policy Bill, which includes legislation he authored to stop the Administration’s planned drawdown of U.S Land Forces and authorizes a 2.1% pay raise for members of the military.
“With emerging threats around the world, today’s security environment is too dangerous to shrink our military to the lowest level since before World War II,” said Congressman Gibson. “The drawdown of our Army and Marine Corps, which is based on dated strategic guidance, hampers our ability to deter our enemies, deploy troops in response to natural disasters and global health crises, and provide adequate support for troops and military families coping with PTSD and related conditions. I am very proud the Defense Policy Bill, which funds our military and establishes critical Department of Defense policy, incorporates my legislation. Passage of this bill represents a significant milestone as we work to reestablish peace through strength, provide for our troops, and protect our people.”
Congressman Gibson is the author of the Protecting Our Security Through Utilizing Right-Sized End-Strength (POSTURE) Act of 2016, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by 53 Members of Congress that was included in the Defense Policy Bill by the House Armed Services Committee last month and paid for with dedicated funding.
The Defense Policy Bill also includes Congressman Gibson’s initiatives to provide troops with professional certifications that translate to the civilian workforce, require the placement of current or former enlisted members of the Armed Forces on any panel charged with making changes to military personnel regulations, and enhance the readiness of the Global Response Force, the nation’s first responders to global threats.
In addition to authorizing a 2.1% pay raise for members of the military, the bill strengthens Congressional oversight of Department of Defense suicide prevention programs, provides opportunities for space-available flights on military aircraft for veterans with disabilities, and institutes reforms to ensure that military service dogs are properly cared for when they are retired from active service.