Defense
I believe that to keep America safe, we must make America strong. The most important job of the federal government is to protect the homeland. Florida’s 4th Congressional district is home to some of the nation’s finest military installations, including Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, the Florida National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing, and USMC’s Blount Island. Years of budget cuts have decreased the readiness of our armed forces, and I am committed to rebuilding our military as it serves and protects around the world. Northeast Florida and the brave men and women who live there play a key role in our national security. Making investments in our military now ensures peace through strength.
For more information concerning work and views related to Congress, please contact our office.
More on Defense
Jacksonville, FL – Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded $46 million for the Jacksonville Harbor deep draft navigation project in its FY 2019 Work Plan. This comes in addition to the $50 million in federal funding directed to JAXPORT for the project over the past two fiscal years, representing a substantial federal investment in growing commerce and trade in Northeast Florida.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) recently wrote an op-ed for Military.com highlighting the House’s work on improving transition assistance for servicemembers in their return to civilian life. Rutherford currently serves on the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and is a former member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Veterans Day is an especially important occasion in Northeast Florida, home to one the most heavily military and veteran populations in the country. It is an honor to serve this community in Congress, and on Veterans Day, our citizens came together to pause and honor the many brave and selfless men and women in our community who served our nation at home and abroad.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6157, legislation that allocates funding to the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The measure, which passed the Senate last week, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Upon passage of the bill, Congressman John Rutherford released the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives voted to approve the House-Senate agreement on H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill makes key investments in water infrastructure and coastal flood protection, improves care and benefits for our nation’s veterans, and strengthens our military assets. The measure, which passed the Senate yesterday, is expected to be signed into law by President Trump in the coming days.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) Defense Appropriations bill by a vote of 359-49. The bill funds the Department of Defense – including operations, readiness activities, equipment modernization, and health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families. It also provides funds for several of Congressman Rutherford’s initiatives that are of particular interest to Northeast Florida.