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Senate Overcomes Key Hurdle on Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC –
Today the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to move ahead with debate on
S.3001, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.
In addition to authorizing funds for important Department of Defense
programs for the coming fiscal year, the bill includes provisions to
raise the salary of active duty service members, accelerate the production
of mine-resistant vehicles and anti-IED technologies critical to the
safety of deployed service members, and protect beneficiaries of TRICARE
from fee increases.
“Today’s vote was
an important step toward bolstering our national security, providing
our men and women in uniform the equipment they need to remain safe
during their deployment, and strengthening the benefits they and their
loved ones receive upon returning home,” said Senator Salazar. “While
this is the first in a series of steps toward final passage, I am optimistic
that Democrats and Republicans will be able to come together and pass
a strong, bipartisan bill that supports our troops and protects the
American people. I look forward to the coming debate and will do everything
I can to ensure that this legislation reaches the President’s desk for
signature.”
The 2009 National
Defense Authorization Act:
1) Provides for
a military pay increase of 3.9%, 0.5 percentage points higher
than the administration’s request of 3.4%
2) Strengthens
health care for service members:
• Provides incentive bonuses to mental health professionals to ensure
adequate staffing for the armed services
• Authorizes the DOD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Traumatic Brain
Injury (PTSD/TBI) Center of Excellence to conduct pilot programs to
improve treatment and care for TBI.
• Requires the Secretaries of Defense and VA to establish jointly a
center of excellence in the mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation
of traumatic extremity injuries and amputations.
• Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive policy
designed to prevent suicide by members of the armed forces
3) Blocks the Administration’s
request for an increase in TRICARE fees for service members
4) Provides funds
to protect our deployed service members:
• Includes $500 million for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles;
• Includes $2.25 billion for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat
Fund (JIEDDF).
5) Provides
funds for chemical demilitarization at Pueblo Chemical Depot:
• Authorizes $65 million in military construction for Pueblo Chemical
Depot
• Urges DOD to budget sufficient funds for chemical weapons destruction
and to consider options for accelerated destruction.
6) Authorizes nearly
$700 million for other Military Construction projects in Colorado:
• $8.4 million for a child development center at Fort Carson
• $4.2 million for an Alert Crew Headquarters at Buckley AFB
• $4.9 million for land acquisition from a willing seller adjacent to
Peterson AFB. The acquisition will improve the force protection standoff
near Building 2 and the Peterson Air Force Base Headquarters Complex;
it will also allow for the realignment of the existing North Gate to
relieve current congestion and provide adequate stacking distance for
vehicles entering the base.
• $9 million for a readiness center for the Colorado National Guard
in Denver
• $9 million for a readiness center for the Colorado National Guard
in Grand Junction
• $3 million for a satellite pharmacy at Buckley Air Force Base
• $18 million to upgrade academic facilities at the United States Air
Force Academy
• $7.2 million for an Air Force Reserve training facility at Buckley
(BRAC)
• $154 million for barracks and dining facilities at Fort Carson
• $45 million for a battalion complex at Fort Carson
• $15 million for unit maintenance facilities at Fort Carson
• $22 million for a physical fitness facility at Fort Carson
• $46 million for brigade/battalion headquarters at Fort Carson
• $93 million for company operations facilities at Fort Carson
• $84 million for vehicle maintenance shops at Fort Carson
• $69 million for infrastructure for a Brigade Combat Team, at Fort
Carson
• $103 million for construction of privatized family housing at Fort
Carson
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