Collins Funds Troop Increase; Equips Military to Face Radical Islam

June 16, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5293, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017. This legislation provides funding to pay troops, support military readiness, and maintain military operations in the U.S. and overseas. Congressman Collins, who serves as a Chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, issued the following statement after the vote:

“This year’s defense appropriations bill ensures a robust and ready military by denying the President’s proposed troop reduction, and funding necessary readiness programs that will keep our troops prepared for both combat and peacetime missions. We must not let growing instability in the Middle East –and around the world – threaten our way of life, and our country must be prepared to combat any and all threats. New equipment, additional training, and important personnel requirements are funded and provided for, as well as maintenance of current military infrastructure that has been long neglected.”

“Counter-terrorism programs will be continued and strengthened to combat the ever-growing threat of ISIS. H.R. 5293 also continues to prohibit the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees, and prevents new facilities from being built on U.S. soil to house them. Our service men and women will see a well-deserved 2.1% pay increase, and new healthcare programs and medical facility upgrades, including $125 million allocated for traumatic brain injury and psychological health research.”

“Strong oversight of these dollars is in place to ensure that taxpayer money is used judiciously and for the intended purpose – to better serve those who serve us. As a Chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, I have had the honor of ministering to the military community, and supporting them in their faith as they fight for our country. These brave men and women sacrifice so much to defend our freedom, and I am proud to support them not only in ministry, but with the passage of this strong appropriations bill that will keep our force the finest in the world. ”