Congressman Cohen Backs New Plan to Support Troops and Strengthen Military

“I was proud to vote in support of this bill to give the troops the funding they desperately need in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Congressman Cohen. “The American military is the greatest in the world, and this bill will ensure that they have all the resources they need until we can bring them home.”

The Defense Authorization bill authorizes new resources for additional Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs,) up-armored Humvees and body armor. The legislation also includes resources for efforts to stop Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that have proven to be a threat to American troops in Iraq.

“I’m especially proud that this bill includes more critical support for soldiers and their families by giving them a significant pay raise and blocking fee increases in TRICARE (the military health care program),” added Congressman Cohen. “These appropriations go above and beyond the President’s recommendation, but they deserve better than what they’re receiving right now. Additionally, in response to the Walter Reed scandal, this legislation includes the Wounded Warriors Act which will improve the care for our wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“Finally, this bill will address one of my biggest concerns: military readiness, which has dropped to unprecedented levels. Army National Guard units have, on average, only 40 percent of their required equipment, and many of the stateside units do not have the resources to effectively respond during crises at home.”

“The measure that we passed today helps restore our nation’s military readiness by creating a Strategic Readiness Fund to address equipment shortfalls, fully funding the Army’s and Marine Corps’ equipment reset requirements, and authorizing new resources to provide the National Guard and Reserve critically needed equipment.”

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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275 (mobile)
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817 (mobile)