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Congressman Young Continues to Support America's Troops

Washington, D.C., May 17 -

Congressman for All Alaska Don Young voted today in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 1585).  This legislation was brought to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives with the purpose of authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes. 

“One of the main points of this bill is that it does not include language which will impact current Iraq policy.  Most importantly it does not set a timetable for withdrawal,” said Congressman Young.  “This is by no means a perfect bill; unfortunately there were a lot of reductions and requirements for various weapons systems such as Global Position Systems and Future Combat Systems, which I think were big mistakes.  However, it had enough good points to merit my vote. 

“This bill will increase the overall size of our military which should help reduce the length of time our troops are being deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I think this is incredibly important; our military needs a stronger force and we can’t withhold that from them.  It’s not fair to our men and women in the military to send them over to the front lines without the proper funding, equipment, and support, and then expect them to give it their all.  I have been very consistent in my views on this war and on funding our troops.  We cannot continue to play politics with the lives of our military.”

Among the beneficial provisions included in H.R. 1585:

• Provides $2.3 Billion for the continuation of Ground-Based Missile Defense (GMD), including the purchase of 10 additional interceptors which will go into Ft. Greely
  
• 3.5% across the board pay increase for all Military personnel
  
• Increases the current inventory of Strykers vehicles by 161, which could potentially be sent to Alaska
  
• Authorizes a monthly payment increase to surviving spouses who are denied the full amount of their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) because of the concurrent receipt of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
  
• Prohibits increasing TRICARE costs
  
• Increases the size of the Army by 36,000, Marine Corps by 9,000 and Army National Guard by 1,300.
  
• Additional $4.1 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, top unfunded priority of commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This will give added protection to our armed forces personnel with improved mine resistant vehicles.
  
• Directs the establishment of a Traumatic Brain Injury Center to provide for the opportunity for emerging technologies and treatments
  
• Restores 490 medical personnel positions in the DOD  

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