Bill Funds Critical Military and Disaster Relief Priorities

Washington, DC, Jun 13, 2006 - U.S. Representative John Carter (TX-31) applauded House passage of a bill that will fund military priorities and hurricane relief initiatives. H.R. 4939, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery includes $94.5 billion for critical defense, border security, and disaster relief priorities.

“As Fort Hood’s representative, I remain dedicated to seeing our service men and women receive the support they need to defend and serve our nation. I am very pleased that the House has passed a bill that provides our military with the funding needed to sustain critical operations. This bill is crucial to the success of operations at Fort Hood and throughout the military,” Congressman Carter said. “This spending bill also funds important disaster relief recovery efforts, including levee repairs and flood control projects. As we enter hurricane season, we must ensure that those areas vulnerable to hurricanes are fully prepared.”

House negotiators remained committed to fiscal responsibility by funding our nation’s critical needs, not unnecessary or wasteful programs. The Senate originally passed a version of the supplemental appropriations bill authorizing $108.9 billion in new spending. House Republicans brought the bill’s total down to $94.5 billion in the conference report.

Specifically, this bill includes: $890 million for up-armored Humvees to protect our military men and women; almost $2 billion for improvised explosive device (IED) countermeasures; $4.85 billion to train and equip Iraqi and Afghan security forces; $66 million for the promotion of democracy in Iran; $1.9 billion to strengthen U.S. border security; $6 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund; and $3.7 billion for flood control projects and levee repairs.

The House passed the Emergency Supplemental by a vote of 351 – 67.

The Supplemental is expected to be signed into law by the President this week.