Department Of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

Department Of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

This measure represents Congress's commitment to the millions of dedicated men and women, in and out of uniform, throughout the Department of Defense, who work to address the national security challenges of the country. This bill also expresses our commitment to their families, whose service to the country is recognized and greatly appreciated.

In total, the act appropriates $636.3 billion for DoD programs, operations and troop support. This represents a 2 percent increase of current funding levels, and while not including funding for the President's proposed troop increase in Afghanistan, includes $128.2 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill contains funds to meet the logistical needs of our military including new and updated equipment, combat vehicles and battle gear. The measure also includes funding for military pay raises, military health care benefits and quality of life improvements for the troops and their families.

Since first clearing this chamber in July, there have been important add-ons made to the bill. These add-ons include a number of non-defense provisions--such as an extension of certain emergency unemployment insurance benefits; an extension of a 65 percent premium subsidy for COBRA health insurance, allowing recipients to obtain the subsidized insurance coverage for six additional months; a delay, until February, of a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors; funding for nutrition assistance; and $400 million for state administrative expenses.

Additionally, I am especially pleased that today's DoD Appropriations bill includes an unprecedented fund of $300 million set aside for the purpose of mitigating BRAC-related transportation and community impacts at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir. Congress is committed to building world class facilities for our wounded warriors in the national capital region, and these funds are an integral part of that effort. I want to thank Congressman Moran, Chairman Murtha, and Chairman Obey, as well as Senator Mikulski and Senator Cardin, for their partnership on this initiative. I look forward to working. with our Senate colleagues, the Department of Defense, and other stakeholders to make these funds available for their intended purpose at the soonest possible date.

Madam Speaker, as the country prepares to ask even more of our service members, it is our responsibility to do all we can to honor our commitments to them and their families-- While we can never fully repay the debt we owe them, we can work to ensure that they have the resources they need to do their jobs abroad and the resources they need to meet their obligations here at home.

I encourage my colleagues join me in support of the bill.

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