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Hudson Supports Bill to Fund National Security Priorities

July 27, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2017
Hudson Supports Bill to Fund National Security Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), the representative of Fort Bragg and the voice for North Carolina’s veterans, released the following statement after the House passed the Make America Secure Appropriations Act of 2018 (H.R. 3219), which includes appropriations bills for defense, military construction and veterans, energy and water, and the legislative branch:
“This bill turns the page on the last eight years by prioritizing tax dollars to rebuild our military, improve care for veterans and build the wall along our southern border. It seeks to deliver better care to veterans by implementing an integrated VA/DOD electronic health record system – a common sense step I have long fought for in my desire to bring the VA into the 21st century. It addresses the VA opioid epidemic that has devastated our community. And it fully funds the pay-raise and training our military deserves. While this bill isn't perfect, it makes significant progress on top priorities while striving for good stewardship of our tax dollars. I’m hopeful the Senate will act quickly to help us fulfill our number one responsibility to guarantee the security of the American people.”
The legislation includes a number of conservative priorities, as well as Rep. Hudson’s priorities to bolster defense spending, strengthen border security, rein in the federal bureaucracy, and prioritize veteran care. Specifically, this bill:
  • Fully funds President Donald Trump’s FY18 $1.6 B request for a wall along our southern border.
  • Boosts base funding for the Department of Defense by $68.1 B above FY17 enacted levels to continue rebuilding our military.
  • Targets resources in the DOD to requirements identified by our military leaders–higher troop levels, readiness efforts, infrastructure, equipment modernization, and the development of new military capabilities.
  • Fully funds the authorized 2.4% pay raise for our troops–the largest military pay increase in 8 years.
  • Provides the highest level of funding ever for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - $78.3 B, an increase of $3.9 B above FY17.
  • Supports medical care of 7 million VA patients, including $8.4 B for mental health services, $186 M for suicide prevention, $316 M for traumatic brain injury treatment, $250 M for rural health initiatives, $50 M for opioid abuse prevention, and $7.3 B for homeless veterans services.
  • Helps reduce the VA claims backlog by maintaining stringent reporting requirements and rigorous accountability measures.
  • Boosts funding by 25% for the construction of critical military infrastructure that keeps our troops prepared and healthy–$10.2 B total.
  • Increases funds for the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons program to deter and defend against attacks.
  • Authorizes the EPA to withdraw from the Obama administration’s harmful Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.
  • Maintains longstanding provisions to prohibit the closure of the Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay and prohibits funding for any facility within the U.S. to house detainees.
  • Maintains the freeze on Member of Congress pay and reductions to House spending.
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