Carter Votes in Support of our Military, Increase to Troop Strength, Readiness, Pay

Carter’s READI Act Language Included, Prohibits Housing Illegal Immigrant Minors on Military Installations

Today, Rep. John R. Carter voted in support of the fiscal year 2017 (FY17) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation will ensure our military has the tools necessary to succeed, increases military pay, increases troop strength and readiness, and prevents the closure of our base at Guantanamo Bay (GITMO), keeping enemy combatants off American soil. The NDAA also includes a provision based on Rep. Carter’s Resist Executive Amnesty on Defense Installations (READI) Act legislation that prevents the housing of illegal immigrant minors on military installations.

The Obama Administration, through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), requested assistance from the Department of Defense to temporarily house Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) on military installations around the country.  With this action, President Obama is setting a dangerous precedent in prioritizing his illegal executive amnesty agenda over the well-being of our military. Earlier this year Rep. Carter was successful in pulling Ft. Hood from a list of possible sites to house UACs. Through his persuasiveness and consistent work to preserve the mission of our military, Rep. Carter, through this legislation, ensures no illegal immigrant minors will be housed on any military installation, including Ft. Hood.

“Our Military’s core mission is the defense of our nation and must not be jeopardized by the fallout from President Obama’s failed immigration policies,” said Rep. Carter. “Housing illegal immigrants on military installations like Fort Hood harms our military force by causing a distraction on their home bases which are set up to train the best military force in the world.”

“Housing illegal immigrants near live fire ranges, large military tanks, and other combat ready equipment is irresponsible and unsafe. The FY17 NDAA ensures we do not distract from the military’s core mission, at the same time does what is in the best interest of illegal immigrants facing temporary housing while awaiting a hearing.”

Furthermore, the FY17 NDAA supports $619 billion for national defense. The bill stops the drawdown of the military, increases our troop strength and readiness, and provides a 2.1% pay increase for our troops.

“I am proud to support this very important, bipartisan legislation that supports our military, strengthens our national security and keeps GITMO prisoners out of the United States, and provides a much deserved pay raise for our troops. Of utmost importance to me is the authorization to increase military end strength, with the largest increase in the Army, stopping the Obama Administrations massive military cuts. At a time when we are facing growing global threats to our national security we must stand on the side of our brave military men and women, and to stand up for our great nation’s security.”

In regards to healthcare, the FY17 NDAA improves access to quality care for warfighters, retirees, and their families, while sustaining these benefits for generations to come. The reforms make no changes to out-of-pocket costs for current force or retirees. It provides more flexibility in the choice of care and access to urgent care.

The legislation makes no changes to the basic allowance for housing, including dual military families. It provides for reform of the commissaries, and ensures good value for our military and taxpayers.

It also calls for an overall study of the Selective Service to determine its necessity for the future. It also does not require women to sign up for the Selective Service.

For more information on the FY17 NDAA please visit: https://armedservices.house.gov/sites/republicans.armedservices.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/NDAA%20final%20passage%20Summary%20FINAL.pdf

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the House Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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