Supports Troops, Funds War on Terror Priorities, blocks TRICARE Increases

Washington, DC, Sep 29, 2006 - Representative John Carter (TX-31) today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 conference report. The $532.8 billion bill sets the policies, programs, and funding levels for the nation’s military.

“Our service men and women voluntarily make sacrifices every day to fight terrorism and defend our freedom. It is our duty as a nation and a Congress to give them the resources they need to successfully carry out their mission,” Congressman Carter said. “This legislation includes valuable measures from force protection to a pay raise and programs for reservists and families. We were also successful in heading off proposals to increase TRICARE fees. I will continue to fully support the needs of our U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.”

The conference report for H.R. 5122 authorized $532.8 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. This includes $84.2 billion in procurement funding; $73.6 billion for research, development, testing and evaluation; $110.1 billion for military personnel; $155.3 billion for operations and maintenance; and $17.1 billion for military construction and family housing.

· An additional $70 billion in supplemental funding to support the war on terror’s operational costs, personnel expenses, procurement of new equipment and the necessary immediate funding to reset the force.

· Additional funding for force protection needs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including up-armored Humvees, Humvee IED protection kits and gunner protection kits, improvised explosive device (IED) jammers and state-of-the-art body armor.

· Additional increases of 30,000 Army and 5,000 Marine Corps active duty personnel to sustain our required missions.

· Increases end strength for the Army National Guard by 17,100 over the original budget request. The legislation provides an additional $499 million for National Guard personnel, operations and maintenance and the defense health program, as well as $318 million for procurement to support the recommended National Guard end strength of 350,000.

· Blocks the Department of Defense’s proposed TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard fee increases and prohibits increases in beneficiary cost shares for prescriptions obtained through the TRICARE retail pharmacy network.

· Authorizes grants and loan guarantees to U.S. shipyards to improve their efficiency, cost-effectiveness and international competitiveness.

· Fully funds the immediate Army and Marine Corps shortfalls for readiness and equipment reset.

The annual authorization bill will now be sent to the President’s desk for his signature.