Norman D. Dicks: “The Department of Defense appropriations bill is part of this package: This bill includes the base funding of $518…”

“The Department of Defense appropriations bill is part of this package: This bill includes the base funding of $518 billion, a reduction of $21 billion below the President's budget request; The bill also provides $115 billion for overseas contingency operations, $2.8 billion below the budget request; The bill balances funding essential for U.S. troops and their families with readiness, weapons acquisition, and technology development; For military personnel and family programs, the bill includes full funding of the military pay accounts, including a 1.6 percent pay raise for our troops. For community support programs, the bill includes $40 million above the request for Impact Aid and $250 million to replace inadequate schools located on DOD bases that are owned and operated by our local educational authorities and by the U.S. Department of Education; For readiness, the bill includes $163 billion for operations and maintenance.…”