Transcripts

Text transcript of 10/08/09 radio actuality.

This is Congressman Ike Skelton.

Today, the House of Representatives passed the defense authorization bill conference report.

I'm proud of this defense bill because it is good for the troops, expands Whiteman Air Force Base, provides substantial military construction funds for Fort Leonard Wood, and addresses equipment shortfalls for the National Guard and Reserve.

The bill provides more than $188 million for Missouri projects, including new facilities and land acquisition at Whiteman Air Force Base, and health and dental clinics, training facilities, and barracks at Fort Leonard Wood.

This bill takes care of our troops and their families, providing a 3.4 percent pay raise, prohibiting fee increases on TRICARE, expanding TRICARE health coverage for reserve component members and their families, and providing over $2 billion for family housing.

The bill also restores military readiness strained by eight years of war, providing funds to rebuild equipment stocks for the Army and Marine Corps, and to address equipment shortages in the National Guard and Reserves.

This is a good bill for our troops, their families, as well as for national security. I look forward to the next step, passage in the Senate, so we can send this defense bill to the President to be signed.

This is Congressman Ike Skelton.