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WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (NDAA) late Thursday night. U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted for the legislation, which authorizes projects important for northern Michigan and the funding necessary to strengthen our military and assist military families.
“I am pleased the House was able to come together in a bipartisan manner and pass this legislation, which is important for our troops, their families and the men and women across Michigan who play vital roles in supporting our troops,” Stupak said.
The bill authorizes funding for the following projects important to military installations and employers in northern Michigan:
- $4.36 million for the design and construction of a Live Fire Shoot House and Urban Assault Course at Camp Grayling. The two ranges will provide realistic training, better preparing Army and Air National Guard units for combat.
- $5 million for Century Inc. in Traverse City to continue its wheel drum project. The company will use the funding to continue development on the creation of lightweight ceramic composites that can be used to improve ballistic armor and reinforce surfaces on brakes for overland and armored military vehicles.
The bill contains legislation passed by the House in December and championed by Stupak guaranteeing no American service member wounded in combat will be denied the bonus they were promised. It was brought to Stupak’s attention by northern Michigan resident and Iraq war veteran Derek Gagne that the military does not always pay service members their full enlistment, re-enlistment or other bonuses if they are severely wounded and cannot return to duty. Gagne, an Army National Guardsman from Wilson, was denied part of his bonus after suffering the loss of his right leg, a severe eye injury and losing part of his left foot when his Humvee struck an IED. While completing paperwork at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., he was told he would not receive the remainder of his enlistment bonus.
“The best way to honor our troops is to honor the commitments we have made to them,” Stupak said. “This administration is very quick to go to war but far too slow in responding to the needs of our veterans and their families. We know Derek is not the only soldier impacted by this disgraceful policy and I am committed to ensuring that all outstanding bonuses are paid fully and promptly.”
The House also adopted an amendment to the bill authored by Stupak that would extend eligibility for disability pay to certain cadets at U.S. military academies. Each year, a small number of enlisted military personnel voluntarily separate from the military in order to attend one of the military academies. In doing so, they give up many of the privileges and protections that came with their regular military status.
In the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization Act, Congress recognized the sacrifices and risks that military cadets undergo by bringing them into the military health care and disability system. However, this protection is effective only from the date of enactment, which was October 2004.
A problem with this arrangement came to Stupak’s attention when a constituent who was serving as an enlisted soldier was selected to attend West Point. He de-enlisted and became a cadet. While at school, he sustained severe injuries that ended his military career. Because he had given up his enlisted status to become a cadet, and because he graduated prior to October 2004, he was found ineligible for disability pay. The Stupak amendment would take the changes made by Congress in 2004 and push their effective date back to January 1, 2000.
“For those cadets affected by this problem my amendment will make a big difference,” Stupak said. “The soldiers who are chosen to attend the military academies are the best and brightest from among our enlisted ranks. They should not be denied their disability benefits.”
Also included in the bill are:
- $800 million for procurement of National Guard and Reserve equipment;
- A pay raise of 3.9 percent for all members of the uniformed services;
- Language to block the president’s proposed increase of premiums and co-pays for TRICARE recipients and increase in user fees for the TRICARE retail pharmacy program;
- $840 million for two littoral combat ships (LCS);
- $783 million for procurement and enhancement of body armor systems;
- $2.6 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles;
- Provisions requiring the Iraqi government to match certain U.S. spending in Iraq;
- Provisions prohibiting the use of funds to establish permanent bases in Iraq.
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NOTE: An MP3 radio actuality is available for this release at http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/mi01_stupak/fy09dod.mp3 or by contacting Nick Choate at 202-225-4735 or nick.choate@mail.house.gov. |
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![[News From Congressman Bart Stupak]](stupakpr.gif)
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