U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Thursday voted to invest in rebuilding the military, providing servicemembers their biggest pay raise in nine years, and supporting military families.
“Our servicemembers and their families make tremendous sacrifices to keep America safe, and we are making sure they have the tools, training, and support they need,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This investment in our national security will continue rebuilding the military so it can confront any threat, and it will give the brave men and women of our Armed Forces their biggest pay raise in nine years.”
BACKGROUND
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.R. 6157), which passed the House by a vote of 359 to 49, would provide $676.4 billion in defense funding for FY19.
Rebuilding Our Military
- H.R. 6157 increases discretionary funding for the Department of Defense by $17.1 billion over FY18.
- Boosts investment in maintenance, training, restoration, and modernization.
- Modernizes the military and prepares for the future of warfare with a $92.4 billion investment in research and development.
- Includes $1 billion above the president’s budget request to fill military readiness shortfalls.
Supporting Troops and Military Families
- Fully funds a 2.6 percent pay increase for servicemembers – their biggest raise in nine years.
- Provides $34.4 billion to provide care for our troops, military families, and retirees.
- Includes funding above the request for cancer research, traumatic brain injury, and psychological health research, and sexual assault prevention and response.
- Supports our troops in the fight against terrorist organizations like ISIS and other threats overseas.
- Fulfills the requested increase of 16,400 military personnel.
The House this week also passed a motion to begin a conference committee with the Senate to finalize the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H.R. 5515). The House-passed FY19 NDAA authorizes $717 billion in defense funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
