Congressman Carter and the House of Representatives today voted to provide funding for critical defense priorities and give our service members a 1.8 percent pay raise. The FY15 Defense Appropriations bill passed the House by a vote of 340-73.

“Our service men and women voluntarily make sacrifices every day to fight terrorism and defend our freedom. It is our duty as a nation and a Congress to give them the resources they need to successfully carry out their mission,” said Congressman Carter member of the Defense Subcommittee. “This bill puts our troops first and supplies much needed resources to modernize and maintain readiness. I’m proud to support a bill that funds our national security in a way that is fiscally responsible and upholds the security of our nation.”

This legislation includes $491 billion in discretionary spending; an increase of $4.1 billion above FY14 enacted level and $200 million above the President’s request. This legislation:

• Includes a 1.8% pay raise for the military, instead of 1% as requested by the President
• Provides $165 billion for operation and maintenance to support troop readiness and equipment
• Includes $63.4 billion for research, development, testing, and evaluation of new defense technologies
• Contains $31.6 billion for the Defense Health Program to provide care for our troops, military families, and retirees
• Prohibits funding for transfers of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. or its territories

For more information on this important piece of legislation please visit appropriations.house.gov.