Cramer: House Tells Senate Democrats Three Strikes and You Are Out

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer joined a majority of his colleagues and approved funding for U.S. Military for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. H.R. 695 provides $659.2 billion in funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The bill provides $584 billion for the DOD base budget, and $75.1 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account to support the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In addition to rebuilding our nation's depleted Armed Forces, the bill fully funds a 2.4% pay raise for our troops, as well as increasing the size of the nation's Active, Reserve, and Guard forces.

"Senate Democrats reckless decision to put partisan politics ahead of doing their jobs threatens America's security," said Cramer. "Forcing our Armed Forces to use outdated equipment in combat and not have the resources to adequately train threatens their lives. Delaying a desperately needed pay raise for our already underpaid military families is an abdication of responsibility by Senate Democrats."

The bill includes an additional appropriation of $1.2 billion in OCO funding to support the President's South Asia strategy, as requested by the Administration. The funding supports the deployment of 3,500 additional active component troops; increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; special operations forces capabilities; and munitions to support Operation Freedom's Sentinel. When added to the $4.7 billion in emergency missile defeat and ship repair funds requested by the President in November, which has already been enacted into law (PL 115-96), funding for FY 2018 Department of Defense totals $664 billion -- fully consistent with enacted National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2018.

"This is the third time the House has voted to fund our military for 2018 and this appropriation is consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act already approved by the Senate," commented Cramer. "I hope the Senate makes the safety of our nation and the interests of our armed forces and their families a priority and quickly passes this legislation to fund our military."

The House passed the FY 2018 Defense Appropriations bill on July 27, 2017 (H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Act), and the bill was passed again by the House on September 14, 2017 (H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Act) as part of larger funding packages.

House Republicans passed all twelve FY 2018 appropriations bills on time and on budget before the end of September 2017. The Senate has failed to act on any FY 2018 appropriation bills.

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