Preserving Our National Security
As Americans, we have the privilege of living in the greatest, safest and freest country in the world. But the peace of mind that we share is the result of the sacrifice and selfless service of those in our nation’s military. The price these brave individuals have paid in service is a debt that can never be fully repaid. No matter what year it is or the nature of our circumstances, the service they provide never loses its significance or relevance to preserving freedom.
The world we live in today is one that is becoming more dangerous by the day. Certainly, that requires a strong and robust military force to combat threats wherever and whenever they occur. To ensure that our nation’s defense remains capable and ready to face whatever the future holds, the U.S. House of Representatives last week passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2016. This legislation fully funds the Defense Department and ensures that civilian and combat personnel have the resources they need to be successful.
I am pleased that the bill either maintained or strengthened funds for national security, military operations and programs for service members and their families. This included a 2.3 percent pay raise for military service members and important funding to assist in the Global War on Terror.
Before the House voted on the final version of the legislation, I introduced an amendment that prevents the furlough of those employed under the Working Capital Fund (WCF), if sequestration is the reason for that action. At Tinker Air Force Base in the Fourth District of Oklahoma, there are 8,900 civilians employed in WCF units. These workers are already fully funded apart from the appropriations process. Therefore, furloughs of WCF workers—like those ordered during the government shutdown in October 2013—cost the taxpayers more through delayed production, overhead increases and the need for overtime or transfer of workload to more expensive sources of work.
While the House has acted responsibly to pass this critical legislation, I am disappointed that numerous Democratic lawmakers voted against something that should be unquestionably bipartisan. Further, there are whispers that Democrats in the Senate intend to block passage in order to leverage more money for other areas of government, like the overreaching Environmental Protection Agency and Internal Revenue Service. It’s shameful and inappropriate that Democrats have chosen to use our troops and those who support them as a bargaining tool.
Lawmakers have an important duty to those who volunteered to keep us safe. I hope that Democratic leadership will reconsider these foolish actions and act responsibly in support of our military.