Joel Hefley: “today the U.S. military is deployed around the world in support of the war against terrorism, the efforts to rebuild…”

“today the U.S. military is deployed around the world in support of the war against terrorism, the efforts to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq, and defense of the American homeland and U.S. interests abroad. H.R. 4200, the National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2005, provides the resources necessary to keep the U.S. military ready to overcome any challenge. H.R. 4200 includes operations and maintenance funds for training, peacetime operational tempo and depot maintenance, as well as resources to support the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for the first months of fiscal year 2005. Of the $25 billion included in the bill for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, $16 billion is directly dedicated to maintaining or improving our military readiness. H.R. 4200 fully funds the President's environmental programs, including $3.8 billion for pollution prevention, conservation, compliance, and cleanup activities of the Department of Defense. The bill also recognizes and rewards the civilian personnel who support the global war on terror by authorizing additional pay for civilians who are proficient in foreign languages and extending health benefits to government employees who are mobilized Reservists.”