A defense spending bill for fiscal year 2017 that would increase troop levels, troop pay and spending on preparedness cleared the House on Wednesday with support from U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Tom Cole (R-OK) and Bill Flores (R-TX).
The fiscal year 2017 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, H.R. 1301, outlines $577.9 billion in defense spending, a 2.1 percent increase in troop pay, and provides for more than 1.3 million active-duty troops and 813,200 Armed National Guard and Army Reserve troops.
“The defense appropriations bill passed by the House (on Wednesday) is an important first step to rebuild and restore our military strength,” Calvert said. “The bill provides vital funding for our armed services, including a 2.1 percent pay raise and additional funding for increased end strength. I look forward to working with the new administration and providing the resources our military needs to maintain our position in the world as well as continue to invest in our most important asset — the men and women of our United States Armed Forces.”
The bill outlines $34.1 billion in base spending to support global war on terrorism activities, $1.5 billion more than allocated in fiscal year 2016 and $314 million more than the Obama administration requested.
“Congress has no higher priority than providing for the national defense through a well-trained, well-equipped military,” Cole said. “This legislation will help start the restoration of our defense capabilities which had been allowed to diminish under the previous administration. With growing threats of terrorism and increased aggression by several nations which are hostile to the United States, a larger, more robust military is critical to maintaining order and preserving peace.”
The bill would also step up health care spending for troops and their families, outlining $312 million for cancer research, $125 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological health, and $296 million for sexual assault prevention and response.
Cole highlighted a number of provisions within the bill that would benefit service members in Oklahoma and across the country.
“It will provide $215.3 billion for readiness programs, halting the drawdown of troops and increasing end strength,” Cole said. “Of importance to Oklahoma, it provides key funding for the Air Force’s KC-46A Tanker program at Tinker and continued Low Rate Initial Production of the Army’s Paladin PIM. The Paladin PIM program extends the operational reach of Army artillery and allows for coordinated and operative fires to support dismounted and mounted troops and is the Army’s premier artillery piece.”
Flores, meanwhile, said in a world of growing instability, the top priority of government should be to provide safety and security to all Americans.
“This defense appropriations bill ensures that our military has the critical funding for a strong national defense and that our troops receive the resources and compensation that they deserve,” Flores said. “I, along with other conservatives in the House, will continue to work with the Trump administration to strengthen and rebuild our military and support the men and women who defend and protect our great nation.”