Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the chairman on his assumption of the chairmanship of the full committee and for putting this bill together when he chaired the Subcommittee on Defense.

This bill certainly represents the outcome of many hard choices. It prioritizes funding where our troops need it the most. It wisely invests in readiness, training, maintenance, and procurement, and ensures that our troops are prepared for the tasks before them. This bill also supports our efforts to defeat ISIL alongside our allies in the region as well as our continued focus on deterring Russian aggression.

I am also pleased, Mr. Speaker, that this bill takes care of the troops and their families, granting them a long-awaited 2.1 percent pay raise. Time and again, our servicemembers put themselves in harm's way and respond to the myriad threats facing the Nation. This pay raise is one small way for us to honor their dedication and willingness to serve.

As the threats we face continue to become more unpredictable, we must provide our troops with the tools that they need to win in uncertain times. This bill goes a long way toward restoring the shortfalls in manpower and readiness that our military has endured in recent years.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me call attention again to Will Smith, who has been a clerk of this committee for 6 years and served as my chief of staff in my private office for many years before. This is likely his last appropriations bill on the floor to help manage and put together, and so I want to say to Will and all of you in behalf of saying something good about Will, what a great amount of service he rendered the Nation with a true Kentucky attitude, which he has.

Will, we owe you a lot. Thank you for your service. You have been great. We wish you Godspeed.

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