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Washington, DC -- Congressman David Davis today issued the following statement in response to the President signing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law:
“After traveling to Iraq, Walter Reed, and Mountain Home numerous times to visit and speak with our men and women in uniform about their needs abroad and when they get home, some of the things I came away with was a need for better healthcare, increased pay, and increased safety initiatives.
“After casting a vote in favor of the NDAA on January 16, 2008, I am excited to see that Combat veteran eligibility has been expanded from two years post discharge to five years post discharge. This part of the NDAA is essential and will provide and extend the well earned benefits to our heroic veterans.
“Our Armed Forces and Veterans deserve our appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice to preserve the safety of every Tennessean and American alike.”
• The NDAA authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and authorizes $189.4 billion in supplemental funding to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terror.
• In addition to pay increases, the bill provides funding for state-of-the-art Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and National Guard equipment in order to maintain a greater level of safety for our Troops.
• The NDAA funds authorize a 3.5% pay raise for all members of the Armed Forces in 2008.
• The NDAA also authorizes the much needed Wounded Warriors legislation that advances the care, management, and transition of recovering service members and improves the healthcare and benefits for military families.
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