WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, to provide American troops with the support they need to complete their missions in the Middle East and around the world. 

 

“Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, I have been actively working to make sure our troops have the equipment they need to do their jobs efficiently and safely while they are deployed.  One of my major concerns about proper armor for trucks and Humvees is addressed in this bill – as a $1 billion initiative for production of Up-Armor Humvees and Add-On Armor Kits for existing military vehicles,” Emerson said.  “I want these additional protections against mines and roadside bombs to be implemented as soon as possible.”

 

Emerson cast her vote in favor of H.R. 4200, which passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 391 to 34.  The legislation authorizes $422 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.

 

“This bill includes a pay raise and increases in hardship duty pay for soldiers.  It also provides for up to $3,000 per month of income replacement pay for reservists who experience reductions in their income while they are away from their civilian jobs.  Good pay and benefits are essential to families which lose their primary breadwinner who gets called to duty.  They are just as important to continuing the missions of our all-volunteer armed services.

 

“We owe our military personnel so much more than a debt of gratitude.  We owe them a good living.  We owe them every protection when they go into dangerous parts of the world.  When our men and women are serving in uniform and when they become veterans, this bill will reflect the priorities of their country – to keep them safe and to thank them for answering the call to duty,” Emerson said.