Martha Roby: “I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Frelinghuysen at the full committee and Chairwoman Granger at the Defense…”

“I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Frelinghuysen at the full committee and Chairwoman Granger at the Defense Subcommittee on this bill. Providing for the common defense of our Nation is one of the most fundamental duties of Congress under the Constitution. Last week I appreciated the message that President Trump delivered in his joint session address, and I was particularly encouraged by his call to properly fund our military. For the last 6 years, we have been in almost constant tension with an administration whose sequestration policy threatened to hollow out our military. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I stand ready to work with the President and Secretary Mattis to make sure our military is properly funded, well equipped, and ready for the fight. That is why I am so proud to support this Defense Appropriations bill. Our bill rejects the Obama administration's proposed troop level reductions that would have amounted to as many as 36,000 servicemen and -women cut from the ranks. Instead, our bill provides funding for an additional 1,000 Active-Duty Army soldiers, 1,000 Army National Guard soldiers, 1,000 Army Reserve soldiers, and 1,000 Active-Duty marines. The bill also fully funds a much-deserved 2.1 percent pay raise for military personnel. Mr.…”