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HOUSE PASSES DEFENSE BILL TO FUND MILITARY THROUGH 2010, INCLUDES COMMUNICATIONS DOLLARS TO DEFEND AGAINST DRUG CARTELS

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) today voted in support of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, a bill which makes critical investments in America’s troops through 2010 by funding military pay raises, overseas operations, new military equipment and first-class medical care.

“This vote upholds our end of the bargain with our brave servicemen and women who put their lives on the line and also with their families who make sacrifices along the way,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We have to meet their needs and match their commitment with the right resources and the utmost respect. This legislation will strengthen America’s military forces and support our troops who are selflessly serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The Defense Appropriations Act includes $128 billion to support U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including preparations to begin a military withdrawal from Iraq.

Recognizing the financial challenges facing military families today, the bill provides a 3.4 percent military pay increase and provides $472 million for family support programs. The bill also provides stop-loss compensation payments worth $500 for each month that a service member involuntarily serves beyond their initial active-duty orders.

“There’s a hardship placed on military families and those active-duty troops who’ve served multiple tours overseas and now we’re delivering the compensation they deserve,” said Congressman Cuellar. “They repeatedly give and give; it’s time for us to give something back.”

Today, H.R. 3326 passed the House by a vote of 400-30, and provides considerable investments in defense health care services for troops at home and overseas. Over $31 billion will go towards combat injury care, wounded warrior programs, military family health programs, and mental health services.

The bill also includes significant equipment investments in missile defense and future combat systems, plus funding for tactical combat vehicles, satellite communications, naval ships and military helicopters.

In addition, H.R. 3326 provides $160 million for a counter-narcotics digital communications system in Mexico to sustain the fight against drug traffickers along the border. This will replace a lower-level encryption system that has been compromised by the cartels. The counter narcotics office at the Department of Defense has successfully designed secure communications networks to fight drug trafficking in Columbia. This communications system in Mexico will enhance counter-narcotics efforts between Mexico’s law enforcement and the U.S. 

 Other important provisions of the H.R. 3326 include:

Readiness Training: $11 billion for critical readiness training and mission preparedness for troops
Force Equipment: $20.4 billion for equipment used in Iraq and Afghanistan, including mine-resistant armored vehicles
Reigning In Outsourcing: $5.1 billion to allow defense personnel, not contractors, to perform critical department functions, including general provisions to stop further conversions of government defense functions to contractors
Inspector General Oversight: $288 million for the Inspector General to hire additional investigators to ensure proper oversight of DOD acquisition and contracting
Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility: Provides no funds for the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Naval Base