Rep. Peters Fights for Strong and Smart Military, Helps Pass National Security Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) continued his support for a United States Military that has the resources and tools needed to support our troops and keep the American people safe. Peters voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on the House floor, which passed 269-151.

“Our country needs a strong, smart, forward-looking military force that provides our warfighters with the tools necessary to quickly and decisively confront the dynamic new threats facing our nation at home and our countrymen abroad,” Rep. Peters said. “I remain opposed to the across-the-board cuts known as sequester that limit the ability of our military commanders to effectively plan for the future, and will continue pushing Congressional leaders to end this reckless policy.

“In the end, I supported this bill because we must give our military the resources it needs to keep our country safe, which continues to be the most important job for Congress. San Diego will benefit from this military budget, particularly around our region’s role in providing special warfare and innovative technologies,” Peters stated.

Watch Rep. Peters’ speech on the national security imperative of diversifying our military’s energy portfolio HERE.

The NDAA serves as the roadmap for defense spending for the 2016 Fiscal Year that begins on September 1, 2015. Congressman Peters also supported the bill when it passed the House Armed Services Committee last month on a 60-2 vote.

Congressman Peters had seven amendments included in this year’s NDAA:

• Asks the Department of Defense to report on its plan to merge two offices at the Pentagon which handle parts of the military’s energy strategy and sustainability efforts. Congress and the American people need assurance that these offices have the staff and resources to complete the mission asked of them, and to see if the desired increase in efficiency is being achieved.
• Protecting California’s access to firefighting aircraft that are owned by the National Guard.
• Reforms to the acquisition process in the DOD so that smaller companies can have the same opportunity to compete with larger companies. Greater competition is the smart way to provide the DOD with the best array of options.
• Support for DOD programs that provide specialized camps for military children who are grieving the loss of a parent, guardian, or sibling. These camps are also available for children with a parent, guardian, or sibling struggling with addiction.
• Promoting military energy efficiency for the KC-X tanker aircraft that has been used for fuel transport and firefighting efforts.
• Expanding military fuel supply diversity by requiring the DOD to brief the Armed Services Committee on innovative technologies to efficiently improve the range and endurance of tactical vehicles
• Support for programs including zero8hundred which provide community-based transition programs in the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program. The amendment requires the DOD to brief the Armed Services on the effectiveness of these programs in supporting our military and veteran families.

###