e-News 5/20/16

• Defense Appropriations: Meeting Threats, Improving Readiness, Modernizing Equipment, Caring for our Troops and their Families
• New Funding for Veterans and Military Facilities
• A Plan to Stop the Spread of Zika
• Listening Tour Continues
• Salute:  Acting Army Secretary Murphy and Picatinny Arsenal

Defense Appropriations: Meeting Threats, Improving Readiness, Modernizing Equipment, Caring for our Troops and their Families

The House Appropriations Committee this week approved the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill developed by my Defense Subcommittee. Our legislation funds critical national security needs, including military operations and readiness programs, as well as health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families.

In introducing the bill, I reminded my fellow Appropriators that over the past several years, our Armed Forces and Intelligence Community have largely focused on the dangers posed by Islamic terrorist organizations – al Qaeda, the barbaric ISIS, Al Nusra and others.

But recently, new threats are emerging:

• A more aggressive and more capable Russia; 
• An expansionist China;
• Emboldened states like Iran;
• Rogue nations like North Korea;

At the same time, the Defense Department is grappling with fiscal constraints imposed by unwise sequestration and budget caps.

Looking today at our Department of Defense and Intelligence Community I noted:

• our readiness levels are alarmingly low for our soldiers, Marines, sailors and Airmen;
• our decisive technological edge over our adversaries is eroding; 
• our adversaries’ resolve and their capability are only growing.

The bill my Subcommittee put together begins to reverse these trends by providing more money for national security.

The legislation meets the overall defense spending limits set by law for fiscal year 2017, providing $517.1 billion in funding – an increase of $3 billion above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $587 million below the President’s budget request. The bill also provides $58.6 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)/Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) funding – the level allowed under current law. Following the lead of the House Armed Services Committee-approved National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, the legislation targets approximately $16 billion of this OCO/GWOT funding to meet pressing unmet needs within the Pentagon budget.

To read my opening statement, click here.

To watch my opening statement, click here.

For a bill summary, please click here.

For the text of the bill, please click here.

For the bill report, please click here.

New Funding for Veterans and Military Facilities

The House of Representatives, with my support, yesterday approved the appropriations bill that funds programs for veterans and military construction projects. Specifically, the legislation contains funding to house, train, and equip military personnel, provide housing and services to military families, and help maintain military base infrastructure. The bill also funds veterans’ benefits and programs.

The Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill provides another robust significant in funding for medical care and benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to keep pace with demand.  The measure’s provisions will improve the quality of life for our service members and their families and address concerns raised by veterans across the country by facilitating improvements in the VA’s claims and appeals processes.

Our veterans deserve the best care we can provide, and this legislation will deliver that while simultaneously enhancing oversight for patients and taxpayers alike. In short, this legislation upholds our nation’s promise to care for our troops, veterans, and military families who have endured personal sacrifices to keep us safe at home and strong abroad.

To read a summary of the FY 2017 Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill, visit here.

A Plan to Stop the Spread of Zika

The House this week approved the Zika Response Appropriations Act (H.R. 5243) which will provide an additional $622 million to the federal agencies to fight the Zika virus and prevent it from spreading.

This legislation does not just throw money at this developing public health crisis.  It directs funds where they are needed most urgently and where they can do the most good, while paying for every dime.

The bill contains current year funding for agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, prioritizing mosquito control and vaccine development.  When combined with existing funds, including unused money left over from the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the total funding available this year to combat the virus is $1.2 billion.

We will now work with the Senate to get the needed legislation to the President’s desk as soon as possible.

To read the text of H.R. 5243, please click here.

Listening Tour Continues

My week began with remarks to a packed Morris County Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Monday. Introduced by Chamber President Paul Boudreau, we talked about the economy and gridlock in Washington and meeting new challenges from Russia and China, and Iran and North Korea, as well as ISIS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Later in the week, I spoke to the Madison Historical Society and was proud to deliver the commencement address at Bloomfield College.

Salute:  Acting Army Secretary Murphy and Picatinny Arsenal

Thank you to Acting Army Secretary Patrick Murphy who honored a commitment to me and made a personal visit this week to Picatinny Arsenal to get first-hand look at the installation, its organizations and its missions, meet the arsenal leaders, tour facilities and participate in weapon system demonstrations. The men and women of the Arsenal work every day to make sure our Armed Forces maintain their decisive edge to protect America.  I am confident that Secretary Murphy will say that dedication, work ethic, skill and experience shine though!

To read more about Secretary Murphy’s visit to Picatinny Arsenal, visithere.