Foster Votes to Support Troops, Strengthen Military

Press Release

Foster Votes to Support Troops, Strengthen Military

Legislation Includes Pay Raise for Troops, Funding for Readiness Training

Today, Rep. Bill Foster voted in favor of the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations bill, which includes vital investments designed to strengthen our military and support our troops. The bill passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 400-30.

"Our military families and troops deserve the very best for their service, and this bill truly provides the support and training necessary for a strong military," said Foster. "By investing in our brave men and women in uniform, we honor those who serve while strengthening our national security."

The bill provides a 3.4 percent military pay raise, and also includes compensation for stop-loss, when troops are forced to remain on active duty longer than planned. For every month their term of service is involuntarily and arbitrarily extended in 2010, troops will receive a payment of $500. The legislation also continues efforts to end the practice of stop loss.

"Our troops are going above and beyond what was asked of them, and it is important that we pay them for the additional, unexpected time that they are serving our country and are away from their families," said Foster.

The legislation provides $11 billion for readiness training so that our troops are prepared to successfully complete their missions. In addition, the bill makes an investment of $29.9 billion to provide our troops with quality health care, including funding for traumatic brain injury and psychological health.

Finally, the bill includes $472 million for family advocacy programs and fully funds Family Support and Yellow Ribbon programs. Foster has been a strong advocate for military families, and earlier in the year, he introduced legislation that would nationalize the successful Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

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