On Wednesday, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly in favor of fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill (HR 1301). The bill amounts to a $577.9 billion, an increase of $5.2 billion over last year’s version. Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism funding amounts to $61.8 billion. Combined with some supplemental funding from December’s Continuing Resolution, total funding for this fiscal year will be $583.7 billion. The bill also fully funds a 2.1% pay raise for the military. The final vote was 371-48 – all Georgia congressman voted in favor of the bill except for Representative John Lewis (D- GA 5).
Representative Tom Graves (R- GA 14), Georgia’s lone Republican on the Defense Appropriations Committee, was pleased with the outcome, particularly the pay raise for the troops. “Our troops and their families have endured more than a decade and a half of war, including ongoing efforts to defeat the Islamic State. Simply put, they deserve a pay raise. I hope it helps provide financial security for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” said Graves.
The bill also includes a provision put in by Graves to accelerate the replacement of radar system and related aircraft, known as the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS). JSTARS is stationed at Robins Air Force Base and enhances the ability of planes and other military assets to target enemy combatants and help protect soldiers on the ground. The legislation also prevents the retirement of the A-10C Warthog fleet, many of which are stationed at Moody Air Force Base. The Warthogs are frequently used in the fight against ISIS and their presence is an important feature at Moody.
Representative Rick Allen (R- GA 12) was also pleased with the bill and noted its importance for his district and fighting the country’s increasingly technological and digital threats. Fort Gordon is in Allen’s district and is home the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and the future home of the U.S. Army Cyber Command.
“This appropriations bill ensures we maintain and bolster our technological edge. In the ever-changing cyber world we live in, a 21st Century Military is without question the most important component to field the threats of our time and beyond. I am proud to represent Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, one of the fastest growing military installations in the country. Fort Gordon is home to the Cyber Center of Excellence, the United States Army Signal Corps and the future home of U.S. Army Cyber Command. The training and recruiting of the cyber workforce is happening right in my backyard—and as a member of Congress, providing for the common defense is my responsibility. We must prepare our forces on all fronts, including our cyber arsenal. I will always fight to ensure the mission of Fort Gordon is never compromised and our troops throughout the country have the resources they need and deserve.”
