Cole Votes for Passage of Defense Authorization Bill

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following comments yesterday after supporting passage of H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill authorizes a portion of the budget for the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy's national security programs. It will also authorize $70 billion in supplemental funding to support the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for the beginning months of Fiscal Year 2009.

"Once again members from both sides of the aisle were able to agree on the contents of a good bill that will give our nation's defenses a needed boost. This bill does that in one critical way by making sure our military families are supported and given priority. The legislation also authorizes spending for additional barracks, calls for funding for more military research and development, and sets aside additional resources for our men and women engaged on the front lines. These are priorities that I can definitely put my weight behind."

"This bill isn't perfect, though - it has some obvious flaws. The cut in Future Combat System funding is particularly egregious. FCS is a new and cutting edge approach to develop future weapons systems that are linked up across a computer network. These weapons are more precise, have better targeting capability and provide enhanced protection for our servicemen. I am very displeased that amendments to correct the FCS funding gap were not given the appropriate consideration and I believe the effects of this oversight will be felt later on down the line. Rest assured that when the conference report for this legislation comes to the table, I will advocate for full funding for FCS before the bill is sent to the President."

"But despite some of the legislation's disappointments, the overall bill does rise above partisanship and create a working defense agenda that will meet our nation's most pressing security needs. For that reason, I am pleased to support it. The Armed Services Committee members and staff have worked with a real spirit of bipartisanship - one that I hope will continue in the coming months. I am proud that this legislation will help secure our nation's defenses and give our dedicated members of the Armed Forces the resources they need."

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