Wilson Statement on National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) issued the following statement this morning after the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.

“The National Defense Authorization Act is the culmination of a bipartisan effort in the committee to address the issues that directly affect our military, our veterans, and their families. I am particularly grateful for the inclusion of a 3.4% pay raise for our military – an initiative I had fought for early on in this process. Additionally, there is a renewed focus on the needs of our Reserve and National Guard members who have contributed so much in the Global War on Terrorism as they have seen their role transform from a strategic reserve to an operational force.

“Despite support for the underlining bill, it is disappointing that the committee failed to adopt my amendment which would have used funding set aside in this year’s budget to pay for several programs that would have ended the ‘widow’s tax’, provided for concurrent receipt of retirement pay and VA disability benefits, and extended TRICARE to Guard and Reserve members who are already receiving early retirement. There should also have been a more robust debate on providing early retirement credit for Guard and Reserve members who have been mobilized in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other contingency operations since September 11th, 2001. All of these issues are of vital importance to our servicemembers and particularly their families who share in the sacrifices made by our military.

“There also remain legitimate concerns which include the cuts to our missile defense program found in this bill. At a time when we see renewed provocation and missile tests coming from regimes in North Korea and Iran, rolling back missile defense funding is shortsighted."

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