Congressman John Carter (TX-31) voted for, and the House passed, the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The FY18 NDAA authorizes $699.6 billion to increase readiness, rebuild our military, and fully fund a 2.4% pay increase for our troops. Congressman Carter led the charge to include higher funding levels to accelerate upgrades to current Ground Combat Vehicles. He also included language to compel the Army to create a plan for the future of Ground Combat Vehicles.

“As the representative of the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world, I’ve seen what the last eight years of budget cuts has done to our military, which is why I am proud to support the FY18 NDAA,” Congressman Carter said. “In an environment with growing national security threats, we’ve asked our military to do more with fewer resources. This legislation will begin to rebuild our military forces, and give them the equipment they need to be successful.

“The men and women in uniform have sacrificed and worked hard to keep our country safe, so this bill includes a 2.4% pay increase for their dedication to our nation. This raise is the highest increase our troops have seen in eight years, and it will have a significant impact on my constituents that serve at Ft. Hood.

“There’s no doubt that our American Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Sailors, are the best in the world, but we cannot expect them to remain that way with subpar equipment. When I learned that it would take 30 years to upgrade our equipment returning from overseas, I was appalled, so I included additional funding to accelerate the upgrade process for our Ground Combat Vehicles. I also included language to compel the Army to report on the status of future Ground Combat Vehicles, so we can ensure that our troops have lethal and technologically advanced equipment on the battlefield to fight future threats. The FY18 NDAA is a significant step forward in providing the resources our military needs, and I’m proud to support this important legislation.”

Highlights:

·       Calls for an increase in troops for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard, including 8,500 additional Army troops

·       Fully funds a 2.4% increase in pay for our military men and women and blocks the President’s ability to reduce troop pay

·       Authorizes additional funding for Army operation and maintenance accounts to fulfill their requests for necessary maintenance and increased training opportunities

·       Authorizes additional funding to accelerate the timeline for upgrading current Ground Combat Vehicles

·       Requires the Army to report on the future of Ground Combat Vehicles

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 Congressional Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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