Simpson Supports Defense Supplemental Funding
Simpson Supports Defense Supplemental Funding
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations and House Budget Committee, supported passage of legislation providing $76.8 billion for total defense related expenditures. These funds will support the deployed, soon-to-be-deployed, or returning troops and assist in force protection, or in increasing the survivability of the troops in the field.
"It's vital that our troops have the best equipment, the best training and the best protection available when they are sent into harms way," said Simpson. "By passing this legislation, we help our military provide the safety measures they need to protect our servicemen and women on active duty."
Within the total defense funds, $3.1 billion is provided for activities under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Military Quality of Life Subcommittee, which Simpson is a member.
The bill increases the maximum Sevicemember Group Life Insurance benefits from $250K to $400K. The onetime death gratuity for combat fatalities is also increased from $12K to $100K. Payments of both befits to previous combat fatalities are also retroactive back to October 7, 2001.
The bill also includes extra funding for Up-Armored HMMWVs, additional HMMWVs, Add-On Armor Kits, Night Vision Devices, and other needed military-related equipment
The Committee passed bill fully funds the Army's request for transformation because of its need to mitigate stress on the current active duty combat force by creating at least 10 additional combat brigades. The funding in the bill will be used for equipment purchases under the modularity program by units that will deploy to either Iraq or Afghanistan in the next two troop rotations scheduled for later this year and in 2006. By providing the funding now, the troops will receive much of this equipment prior to deployment. The continuing intensity of conflict, especially in Iraq, warrants outfitting these new units with the best equipment as quickly as possible
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/id02_simpson/defense_supplemental.html