Press Releases

Congressman Garret Graves (R-South Louisiana) responded today to President Obama's decision to veto H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the bipartisan defense policy bill that provides improved pay, retirement, health coverage, housing and other benefits to our troops and their families.

"This veto is a threat to our national, homeland and personal security and absolutely sends the wrong message to the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to defend this nation," said Rep. Graves. "At a time when America faces national security challenges on multiple fronts, we cannot afford to let politics jeopardize our ability to protect ourselves from foreign and domestic enemies. The president's decision to withhold critical resources that would provide our military the support it needs to successfully carry out its mission is just the latest in a string of bad decisions characteristic of this Administration's failed security policies."

The legislation provides resources for a strong national defense and supports our troops in the following ways:

• Reinforces the mission to defeat ISIL
• Addresses Russian aggression through increased funding for U.S. intelligence and warning capabilities
• Enhances the Retirement System by providing additional options to service members
• Improves pay and other benefits for our troops and their families, including a 1.3% pay raise
• Streamlines DOD's broken acquisition system through improved accountability
• Empowers Commanders to permit members of the Armed forces to carry firearms at DOD installations, reserve centers and recruiting centers by 12/31/15
  

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