WASHINGTON, D.C.   The House of Representatives passed, by an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 340-73, H.R. 4870, the Fiscal Year 2015 Defense Appropriations Bill.  This bill provides funding for America’s defense and intelligence activities in the coming fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2014. 

Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, managed House consideration of the bill over three days of debate on the House floor. 

In total, the bill provides $491 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $4.1 billion above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level and $200 million above the President’s request.

Mr. Frelinghuysen issued the following statement upon passage of the bill:

“I thank my colleagues for their strong, bipartisan support of the FY 2015 Defense Appropriations Bill.  This bill meets the two goals I set at the first hearing our Defense Appropriations Subcommittee held earlier this year. 

“First, it ensures that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to defend our nation and support their families. 

“Second, it ensures that the Department of Defense and Intelligence community have the resources they need to carry out their mission in the most efficient and effective manner. 

“I am pleased that the House supported the committee’s recommendations, including providing:

• An additional $1.2 billion above the President’s request to fill readiness shortfalls;
• Full funding for the authorized 1.8 percent pay raise for the troops;
• All the funds needed to begin the refueling of aircraft carrier USS George Washington – a vital power projection platform; and
• An additional $39 million for suicide prevention activities, $19 million of it targeted specifically to our Special Forces.

"These are but a few examples of our commitment to U.S. military dominance across the air, land and sea; our commitment to our allies and partners; and our commitment to our service-members (all of whom are volunteers) and their families.

“The strong bipartisan support for this bill demonstrates that Congress can work together across the aisle to achieve common goals.”

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