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House Armed Services Committee Files Conference Report for
Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill
Focus on Personnel Benefits, Force Protection Measures and Immediate Needs of America’s Warfighters
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today congratulated House and Senate conferees for finalizing and filing the conference report for H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. The conference report for H.R. 1585 authorizes $506.9 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $189.4 billion in supplemental funding to support current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism.
Rep. Hunter’s statement follows:
“Conferees authorized a wide range of important national security activities in a productive, bipartisan manner. We all take our legislative responsibilities—as well as our oversight responsibilities—very seriously, especially during a time of war. I thank my good friend and colleague, Chairman Ike Skelton, as well as every member of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, for their efforts to put together a strong National Defense Authorization Act that reflects our strong and continued support for the brave men and women of the United States armed services.
“This bill authorizes $506.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2008 base budget of the Department of Defense and national security programs of the Department of Energy. It includes an additional $189.4 billion to cover the war costs of the Global War on Terrorism. The bill continues to build on one of our highest priorities by growing the Army by 13,000 soldiers and the Marine Corps by 9,000 Marines.
“Some of the other excellent initiatives in this legislation continue successful programs—such as the Commanders Emergency Response Program, which is working well on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Other provisions reinforce good legislation that the House has already passed on a bipartisan basis—such as Wounded Warrior legislation to address the challenges that face our recovering service members and families. Still others modify existing authorities or establish new programs and policies which hold promise for the future—such as adding $17.6 billion for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.”
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