Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) voted to pass the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which allocates all defense spending for the 2017 fiscal year including funding for military personnel, operations and maintenance, procurement, and research and development. The bill included a $6.4 billion boost to address military readiness shortfalls as well as $880 million to train and equip local forces to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Congressman Peters fought for a number of provisions included in the bill including funding for the construction of three Littoral Combat Ships, which will be based in San Diego, as well as increased resources for military research conducted in San Diego.

“As we counter aggression from states like China and Iran, and work to defeat threats from ISIS and Al Qaeda, we need a strong military and a smart national defense strategy to keep Americans safe,” Rep. Peters said. “From visiting special operations bases around the country, sitting on the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, and speaking with San Diego military leaders, I have seen first-hand how sequester-level spending can require our servicemembers to rely on outdated technology and unreliable equipment. That is an unacceptable risk for our servicemembers and our security; this additional funding will improve our military’s readiness and ability to respond to threats around the world and help give our soldiers, sailors, and Marines the resources they need to carry out their missions safely and effectively.”

Congressman Peters also supported passage of the Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act, which will strengthen partnerships between the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies to better protect against homegrown and lone-wolf terrorism.

Rep. Peters continued, “The American people deserve a response to the horrific attack in Orlando that includes countering homegrown terrorism, confronting hate and discrimination against the LGBT community, and stopping suspected terrorists, criminals, and domestic abusers from purchasing firearms. Today we took bipartisan steps to keep Americans safe, but I am frustrated to be leaving town without even a vote to close the loophole that allows suspected terrorists to legally purchase firearms.”