Rep. Calvert Supports FY2008 Defense Authorization Bill

Press Release

REP. CALVERT SUPPORTS FY2008 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

Today Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill, H.R. 1585. The bill passed by a vote of 397 to 27.

H.R. 1585 authorizes $503 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $142 billion in supplemental funding to support current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism.

"The House Armed Services Committee has produced a good bill that provides the tools, healthcare and pay for our warfighters," stated Rep. Calvert. "I'm pleased the bill includes significant increases to the Operations and Maintenance accounts and $2.4 bill for ten additional C-17s."

Calvert added, "I continue to oppose the inclusion of the Davis - Sanchez amendment which will unfairly impede the construction of the much-needed Foothill-South toll road extension."
Highlights of the bill include:

* An additional $142 billion in supplemental funding to support the Global War on Terror's operational costs, personnel expenses and procurement of new equipment.
* Additional funding for force protection needs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including $4.1 billion for state-of-the-art Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
* Additional increases of 13,000 Army and 9,000 Marine Corps active duty personnel to sustain our required missions.
* A 3.5% pay raise for all members of the armed forces in 2008 and guaranteed pay raises in 2009, 2010 and 2011 to reduce the military-civilian pay disparity. $2.4 billion for an additional 10 C-17s to support intra-theater airlift requirements and meet the airlift needs for the increased end strength in the Army and Marine Corps.
* An additional $1 billion for National Guard equipment. Extends the prohibition the committee enacted last year on increases to TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard. Extends the prohibition the committee enacted last year on retail pharmacy cost share increases.
* Provides $250 million to address training shortfalls throughout the services and adds $165 million for depot maintenance.
* Provides a stipend to partially compensate people for the SBP-DIC offset and begins providing combat-related special compensation to some medically retired military personnel with between 15 and 20 years of service. Authorizes grants and loan guarantees to U.S. shipyards to improve their efficiency, cost-effectiveness and international competitiveness. Prohibits the Department of Defense and defense contractors from procuring goods or services from a source owned or controlled by an entity sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State for violations of the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act (Public Law 106-178).

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