Supporting our Troops at Home

I voted for H.R. 3222, the fiscal year 2008 Defense Appropriations Act, when it passed the House in 2007.  This important bill will provide $558.4 million more than the President requested to support military families in 2008, including new funding for childcare centers, education programs and the Family Advocacy Program, which assists military families affected by war and child or spousal abuse. 

The bill also provides $1.3 billion above the President’s request to repair barracks, and improve child care facilities and community services at military bases.  Finally, the bill includes an additional $141.9 million to bolster base security around the world to ensure better force protection and security improvements, and to safeguard schools, hospitals, and other civil facilities on military bases from possible terrorist attacks.

Members and Families of the Guard and Reserve

I voted for H.R. 3159, the Military Readiness through Stability and Predictability Deployment Policy Act, which will enhance national security and supports our troops and their families by increasing the time troops are at home between deployments to Iraq.  Specifically, H.R. 3159 would guarantee that time at home for active duty forces matches the length of their deployment, and would mandate that all National Guard and reservists be allowed three years at home following each year of deployment.