Zinke Votes for Defense Funding - Blasts Obama for "Shameful political posturing at the expense of our troops"

Press Release

Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke today voted to approve the Conference Report to H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a joint compromise between the House-passed version and Senate version that were passed earlier this year. The bill authorizes defense spending and programs and included Rep. Zinke's provisions to bolster the mission at Malmstrom, addresses security problems at our military recruitment centers, update helicopters at Malmstrom, and prevent the closure of Guantanamo Bay or the transfer of its prisoners. It also included a pay raise for our troops, expanded childcare for military families, and funding for overseas operations. Rep. Zinke serves on the House Armed Services Committee which is responsible for drafting the NDAA. The final vote in the House was 271-156 with 37 Democrats joining Republicans to support the budget.

"Providing adequate funding and programs for the military should not be a partisan issue, and I'm happy the House and Senate were able to come together to craft a defense budget that works for our men and women in the military," said Rep. Zinke. "In addition to a pay raise for our troops and expanded childcare for military moms and dads, this year's defense budget also includes important pieces for Montana, like bolstering the mission at Malmstrom with the Tactical Response Force Alert Facility and updating our nuclear capabilities. I'm also very happy to see my provision, the SEMPER FI Act, was included to address the security vulnerabilities at military recruitment centers so the tragedy that happened in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is never repeated."

Yesterday, President Obama promised to veto the bipartisan NDAA as a way to advance his domestic agenda across other agencies.

Rep. Zinke blasted the announcement saying, "The job of Commander-in-Chief is to take care of our soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, but the President would rather play politics and veto the defense budget that gives our troops a pay raise and childcare. It's shameful political posturing at the expense of our troops and is below the Office of the Presidency."

Since it was first passed over 50 years ago, the NDAA has only been vetoed four times. In each case, the President objected to an actual provision in the bill, and each time the Armed Services Committees were able to find a compromise that earned the President's signature. If the President makes good on his threat, this will be the first time that the Commander-in-Chief will sacrifice national security by vetoing a bill that provides pay and benefits for our troops, as leverage for his larger domestic political agenda.

According to Congressional Research Services and House Armed Services Committee Records:

FY 79 NDAA- Vetoed over funding for Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers
FY 89 NDAA- Vetoed over missile defense policy
FY 96 NDAA -- Vetoed over issues related to the ABM treaty
FY 08 NDAA -- Vetoed, with the support of Congress, over a late interpretation of a provision on Iraq. Fixed on suspension.

Montana Specific:

$19.7 million for the Tactical Response Force Alert Facility at Malmstrom
$4.26 million for Energy Conservation Projects at Malmstrom
One year extension of special pay and bonus authorities for Nuclear Officers
Extended period of service bonus, accession bonus, annual incentive bonus
Increases maximum amount of nuclear officer bonus pay (from $35,000 to $50,000)
$12.5 billion for National Nuclear Security Administration, $8.8 for weapon activities (research and modernization)
NNSA is responsible for maintaining the nuclear stockpile.
$13.7 million for ICBM fuse modernization
$179 million for Minuteman III Squadrons
Authorizes funds to begin the replacement of the UH-1N helicopters
These helicopters are used by units at ICBM facilities
$146 million for C-130H modernization programs under AMP Increment I and Increment II
This modernization program will keep C-130Hs airworthy through the 2020 deadline.

National Guard:

$420 million for National Guard and Reserve Equipment

Below are other notable General Provisions:

Basic Allowance for Housing:

Retains BAH for dual-military couples.

Rep. Zinke's SEMPER FI Act to allow military to carry of firearm:

"Post commanders are empowered to permit a member of the Armed Forces to carry appropriate firearms."
Including personal firearms, at DOD installations, Reserve Centers, and Recruitment Centers.
Sec Def to create a policy to empower Commanders with this authority no later than December 31, 2015.

Directly Arming Kurds:

Secretary of Defense must present POTUS with report on inclusiveness of the Government of Iraq. Based on that report, POTUS can decide to directly arm the Kurds, Sunnis, or other groups if Iraq fails to achieve government inclusiveness for minorities.

Guantanamo Bay

No transfer of prisoners to the U.S.
Or construction of prisons for this purpose.
Limits Secretary of Defense's ability to transfer detainees by reverting back to a more stringent transfer policy from the FY13 NDAA which grants Congress more oversight over the process.
Prisoners cannot be released to Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen.

Sage Grouse:

There are NO provisions in NDAA regarding Sage Grouse.
House NDAA restricted Department of Interior from listing the Sage Grouse under the ESA because of the impact it would have on military training grounds and readiness.

Pay raise (Not for ranks O-7 to O-10, Generals and Admirals):

1.3% pay raise for troops

Source