"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to support bipartisan legislation that comprehensively addresses the needs of our men and women in uniform. This bill includes a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise, protects our troops and their families from escalating health care fees, and brings much needed oversight to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Among the key elements of the bill is the inclusion of $17.6 billion for mine resistant ambush vehicles to protect our troops in Iraq and the establishment of a $1 billion emergency military readiness fund that will allow the Department of Defense to address critical equipment shortfalls.
"Although I was disappointed by President Bush's sudden decision to veto the version of the Defense Authorization Act which passed with a large bipartisan majority in December, I am pleased that Congress acted quickly to pass a bill that the President will sign. Now our men and women in uniform will finally be getting much-needed equipment and pay raises, bonuses, and benefits they deserve. Our military is the finest in the world. I was proud to vote once again for legislation that does so much to support our troops, strengthen our military and make our nation more secure."