Wilson Praises Conference Agreement on National Defense Authorization Act for FY03

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) today voiced his support for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (H.R. 4546). The bill, which provides approximately $393 billion for the nation's defense programs, represents the largest defense budget since fiscal year 1990. The House approved H.R. 4546 by voice vote and awaits Senate action before being sent to the President for his approval. Rep. Wilson served as a conferee on the Conference Committee for H.R. 4546."Finally, after years and years of decline and neglect, Congress has renewed its commitment in keeping national defense our first priority," said Rep. Wilson. "In this time of war, we all realize that we must protect the American people to our best ability, and that means having the best equipment and the best training. I am pleased that we will be sending President Bush a bill that focuses on the needs of our men and women in uniform, and the veterans to whom we owe a debt that can never be fully repaid."Highlights of H.R. 4546 include:· Basic Military Pay: The bill provides a 4.1 percent military pay raise, with targeted increases up to 6.5 percent for mid-grade and senior noncommissioned officers and mid-grade officers.· Housing Allowance: The bill reduces out-of-pocket housing expenses paid by service members from 11.3 to 7.5 percent.· Concurrent Receipt: The bill creates a new payment for all military retirees who were wounded in combat and received the Purple heart and those retirees who were severely disabled in combat-related incidents. Monthly payments would range from $103 to $2,100 each month, depending upon the level of disability, and would represent a partial to full offset of the reduction in retired pay required by current law on concurrent receipt.· Combating Terrorism: More than $15 billion for programs to combat terrorism and defend the homeland against weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.· Funding the War Against Terrorism: The bill authorizes $10 billion for ongoing costs of the War Against Terrorism.· Military Construction: The bill authorizes more than $10 billion to build new military housing and working facilities for military personnel and their families.· New Weapons/Equipment: The bill authorizes approximately $130 billion to develop, test, and build new military weapons and equipment.###