DeGette Supports Troops At Home And Abroad

Washington, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) today joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress to pass H.R. 1585, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008,"which will strengthen our military, support our troops and improve military readiness.

"The Bush Administration's misguided policies in Iraq have depleted our military and put a tremendous strain on our troops." said Rep. DeGette. "This bill protects our troops and their families and helps ensure that our fighting men and women have all the resources they need and deserve."

H.R. 1585 authorizes new resources for additional mine resistant vehicles and body armor to help counter the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that have proven to be a threat to American troops in Iraq.

The legislation also includes critical support for troops and their families by providing a pay raise that goes above the President's request and blocking fee increases in the military health care program (TRICARE). Additionally, the bill includes provisions from the Wounded Warrior Act, which responds to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal by improving the care of injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The highest honor we can pay to the men and woman who serve in our military and risk their lives is to ensure they have the best equipment on the ground and the best medical care and our nations full support when they come home." said Rep. DeGette. "This legislation gives additional resources to protect our troops in the field, it helps to restore our military readiness and it provides increased oversight over military contracting including the hiring and conduct of private security firms abroad."