Hultgren Talks of Highlights of Military Appropriations Bill

A press release from Congressman Randy Hultgren:

Hultgren Supports Defense Bill Reducing Administration Cuts, Ensuring National Security Priorities

Washington, DC — U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today supported passage (300-119) of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, H.R. 3979, a bicameral agreement to provide for our nation’s defense and the support, protection, and resources our military needs while remaining consistent with previous budget agreements. Rep. Hultgren previously supported the House-passed authorization, H.R. 4435, in May which passed by a vote of 325-98. For a full summary of H.R. 3979, please click here.

Randy Hultgren

Randy Hultgren

“Supporting our nation’s military families and ensuring our national defense is essential to a strong and prosperous nation. This fiscally responsible bill works within previously-passed budget constraints while prioritizing resources toward making sure our country is secure—and reducing the cuts to housing benefits proposed by the administration,” said Rep. Hultgren.

“I am pleased Congress and the President have continued the now 53-year long tradition of providing for our military and national defense with timely defense reauthorization bills.”

Highlights of the bill include:

  • Rejecting the Administration’s 5 percent cut to basic allowance for housing (BAH) for a 1 percent reduction. The bill also includes a one-year $3 increase in co-pays for select pharmaceuticals.
  • Building upon efforts to combat sexual assault and eliminating the “good soldier defense,” a consideration of general military character toward the probability of innocence in sexual assault prosecutions. It also provides for consultation of victims for their preference to prosecute offenders by court-martial or through civilian challenges.
  • Helping to reverse the trend of military suicide by including $45.3 million towards behavioral and psychological health programs.
  • Providing authorization for awarding the Purple Heart to members of the armed forces killed or wounded in a domestic attack inspired by a foreign terrorist organization, such as the 2009 attack at Fort Hood.
  • Authorizing the Iraq Train and Equip program for two years to assist Iraqi security forces as they rebuild their capability and capacity to defeat ISIL.
  • The President’s supplemental request for $5 billion to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.
  • Builds on previous service member and chaplain religious liberty protections.
  • Maintains prohibitions on transferring Guantanamo detainees to the United States and on building domestic terrorist detention facilities.

Comments

Hultgren Talks of Highlights of Military Appropriations Bill — 2 Comments

  1. This is a very bad piece of legislation!

    Hultgren should have voted NO as requested! http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/68091?
    utm_source=CFP+Mailout&utm_campaign=4157b2c812-Call_to_Champions&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d8f503f036-4157b2c812-291118177

    There is NO way he read the entire bill!

    Just the land grab portion took over 400 pages!!

    This will do the military what Obamacare did to healthcare!

    Read the bill, Mr. Hultgren!

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