National Security and Defense
Our all-volunteer military is the greatest fighting force the world has ever known and is the envy of the globe. In Congress, we have a responsibility to provide our defense agencies and soldiers with the resources they need to protect our country and support our allies. Supporting our nation’s military also means that ensuring that the brave men and women of our armed forced receive the support they deserve.
In the 21st century, threats to our nation’s security come in a variety of forms and we must continue to be vigilant against terrorism. In addition to traditional defense measures, cyber-security and bio-defense, including the important work done in Maryland at facilities like Fort Detrick is absolutely essential.
I voted to provide critical funding for defense operations and included a much-deserved 1.8% pay increase for military personnel in the 2014 Defense Appropriations Bill, which also included new initiatives to prevent sexual assault in the military.
During debate of the Defense Appropriations Bill, I offered an amendment to increase funding for Fisher House, which provides free lodging near hospitals for military families when servicemen and veterans are receiving care. My amendment increased funding from $4 million to $20 million and will allow four new Fisher Houses to be built across the country. These new houses are owned and operated by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and will allow approximately 2,000 additional military families per year to stay with their heroes in their time of need at the hospital.
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WASHINGTON – On Thursday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5293, the 2017 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, legislation that included provisions authored by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) to double federal funding for Fisher House, a highly-rated non-profit that partners with the federal government to provide free lodging near hospitals for the families of veterans and active duty service-members who are receiving care.
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan amendment by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) to increase federal support for the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit that partners with the military to provide free lodging near Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military hospitals to the families of veterans and service-members receiving care. The Delaney Amendment was considered during floor debate on Wednesday and was adopted by voice vote.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has authored an amendment to the 2017 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Bill that would increase federal support for the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit that partners with the military to provide free lodging near Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military hospitals to the families of veterans and service-members receiving care. Delaney’s bipartisan amendment increases funding for Fisher House from $5 million dollars to $10 million and is cosponsored by Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Walter Jones (NC-3) and Rep.
WASHINGTON – Monday May 30 is Memorial Day, an annual holiday honoring those who died while serving in our nation’s armed forces.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) releases the following statement:
On May 18 the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2017.
Delaney Statement on NDAA 2017
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) have introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the importance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to the national security interests of the United States. Founded in 1949 with the ideals of democracy and individual liberty, NATO has been a successful political and military alliance for over six decades.
FREDERICK – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) held a Service Academy Night Monday evening in Frederick. The event featured representatives from the nation’s five military academies and offered local students, parents and educators an opportunity to learn more about the service academies. The event was attended by over 130 local residents and took place at the C. Burr Artz Public Library. Delaney will also host a Service Academy Night May 19 at Gaithersburg High School. The event was the 16th constituent services workshop Delaney has held since 2015.
WASHINGTON – Members of Maryland’s House Delegation met today with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Edward P. Chamberlayne, Commander and District Engineer of the Baltimore District office, for an update on the Corps’ current activities and projects in Maryland. Colonel Chamberlayne also discussed the Corps’ budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2017 which includes the Baltimore Harbor and channel dredging, Poplar Island, and Chesapeake Bay comprehensive plan. Delegation Members participating in today’s meeting were Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Chris Van Hollen, C.A.
WASHINGTON – This week the White House announced a new Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP) with a goal of putting in place a long-term strategy to enhance cybersecurity protections for government, businesses, consumers and taxpayers. The CNAP includes a new Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, additional funding for federal cybersecurity programs and personnel within law enforcement, consumer education and an upgrade to existing protections within federal IT systems.
ROCKVILLE – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) joined federal, state and local officials Monday at the dedication of the new National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) facility in Rockville. The dedication ceremony marked the opening of expanded new facilities for NCCoE. The new facility includes 22 labs dedicated to issues such as access control, mobile device security, online identity authentication, data integrity, situational awareness and IT asset management.