Maxwell Frost: “the annual Department of Defense appropriation bill is one that can truly be called bipartisan. It is developed on a…”

“the annual Department of Defense appropriation bill is one that can truly be called bipartisan. It is developed on a bipartisan basis in the Committee on Appropriations, and it usually enjoys bipartisan support on the floor of the House. It is a bipartisan bill because it is of importance to our country. Providing for our national defense is one of our most important duties as Members of Congress. Providing funding for our troops to ensure their safety and success of the war on terror is our obligation. This year's bill is no exception. The Committee on Appropriations has put together a good bill, one that that provides vital support for our troops in times of war. This bill gives our troops a much deserved 3.5 percent pay raise. It gives the Department of Defense $25 billion for emergency supplemental funding for the war on terror. These funds directly and significantly aid our servicemen and women by providing them with the tools they need to fight the war on terror and return home safely. It will provide every soldier with body armor, allow for more armored Humvees, and increase the size of the Army to relieve the burden on our overworked soldiers. The Department of Defense appropriations bill not only aids our troops overseas, it also helps our communities here at home. The bill before us today funds several defense and weapons programs manufactured in north Texas.”