For Immediate Release
June 12, 2013
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE PASSES DEFENSE BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Appropriations Committee today passed the 2014 Defense Appropriations bill. After the vote, Congressman Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.) released the following statement:
“The most important function of the federal government is to defend America. Congress’ duty is to supply our troops with the tools necessary to achieve their mission. We also have a duty to the taxpayers to use their hard earned dollars as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our bill meets these goals.”
Highlights of the bill include:
$512.5 billion in total non-war funding, $98.4 billion of which is designated for equipment and upgrades including:
$15 billion to procure eight Navy ships, including fully funding two SSN-774 Attack Submarines; $5.1 billion for 29 F-35 aircraft; $1.9 billion for 21 EA-18G Growlers; $2.2 billion for 73 UH-60 Blackhawk and 37 MH-60S/R helicopters; $1.5 billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account; $1.8 billion for five Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles; $1.5 billion for 18 C-130J variants; $220 million for the Israeli Cooperative Program – Iron Dome; and $231 million for Lakota Light Utility Helicopters.
$85.8 billion in for ongoing operations in Afghanistan.
Increases military pay by 1.8% rather than the 1% President Obama proposed.
Prohibits funding for transfers of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. or its territories.
$33.6 billion for the Defense Health Program to provide care for troops, military families, and retirees.
$2.1 billion in recissions of unused prior-year funding.
Congressman Alan Nunnelee represents Mississippi’s First Congressional District. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Budget Committee. This is his second term.
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Magnolia Tribune
