|
· MILITARY PERSONNEL
· Fought for Wounded Servicemen and Servicewomen - Cosponsored the Crosby-Puller Combat Wounds Compensation Act (H.R. 771). This legislation requires monthly payments to armed forces personnel wounded or injured in combat at least equal to the monthly pay received immediately before the wound or injury occurred. It would be effective for pay periods beginning on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Bill in committee.
· Supported Troops Fighting Overseas - Cosponsored H.R. 887 directing the United States Postal Service and the Secretary of Defense to provide a program under which postal benefits are made available for personal correspondence and mail sent from within the United States by designated next-of-kin. The program would be available to armed service members serving on active duty abroad as part of military operations against enemy or hostile forces, and to military personnel hospitalized in a U.S. military facility as a result of disease or injury that occurred during service overseas. Bill in committee.
·Fought to Boost Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention - Cosponsored H.R. 1666 to enhance the minimum active-duty strength level for the U.S. military for FY 2006-2010; directs the Secretary of Defense to manage the selection, training and retention of Special Operations Forces to increase those forces by a total of 10,000 over five years. Bill in committee
· Supported Active Duty Military and Veterans - Cosponsored H.R. 2060 to exempt from the means test in bankruptcy cases, for a limited period, qualifying reserve component members who, after Sept. 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity. Bill in committee.
· Fought for Survivors of Fallen Military Personnel - Cosponsored H.R. 292 to increase the death gratuity from $12,000 to $100,000 for survivors of armed forces members who die either while on active duty or inactive duty during training, or within 120 days after discharge to release from such duty or training if the death resulted from an injury or disease incurred while on duty or training. Bill in committee.
· Recognized the USO - Supported Honor the USO H.Con.Res. 322 expressing gratitude to the USO on its 65th anniversary and recognizing that the organization,s work supporting servicemen and servicewomen is critical to the success and mission of the military.
· Honored the Commitment of Servicemen and Servicewomen - Supported National Support the Troops Day (H.Res. 698).
·Supported Family Members of Fallen Soldiers - Supported S 1184 to waive the passport fees for a relative of a deceased member of the armed forces traveling abroad to visit the grave or attend funeral services.
·Supported Military Recruitment - Voted for Support Equal Access for Military Recruitment (H.Con.Res. 354) to give military recruiters the same access to institutions of higher learning as any other employer.
· Honored Fallen Servicemen and Servicewomen - Supported the Respect for America,s Fallen Heroes Act (H.R. 5037).
MILITARY FUNDING
· Supported Defense Authorization for FY 2007 - Authorizes $422.2 billion, plus $25 billion in response to the president's request for additional funding for operations in Iraq. It authorizes $10.2 billion for missile defense, 13% more than the current funding level; mandates a 39,000 increase in the number of active duty Army and Marine Corps personnel; postpones the scheduled 2005 round of base closures until at least 2007; and provides a 3.5% pay hike for military personnel. - Passed by recorded vote: 391 - 34 (Roll no. 206).
· Supported Defense Authorization for FY 2006 - The agreement authorizes $401.3 billion for defense programs, approximately $834 million more than the president's request and roughly $1.2 billion more than provided for by the budget resolution for FY 2004 (H Con Res 95). The total is almost $8.4 billion more than the current authorized level of $392.9 billion -- not including $62.5 billion in FY 2003 emergency supplemental defense funds appropriated as part of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act (PL 108-11)
PORT SECURITY
· Supported Port Security - Supported the SAFE Port Act (H.R. 4954), which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a strategic plan to enhance the security of the maritime transportation system.
TUSKEEGEE AIRMEN
· Honored Tuskeegee Airmen - Supported H.R. 1259 to present Congressional Gold Medals to the Tuskeegee Airmen. Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 26 instructing the U.S. Air Force to honor and learn from the Tuskeegee Airmen in the conduct of the 21st Century War on Terror. Approved by the House and Senate by unanimous consent.
|
