This year, I was fortunate to be appointed by my colleagues to the House Armed Services Committee. Our main responsibility every year is passing a National Defense Authorization Act. Last week, we were thankful to see the President back down from his continued veto threats and sign the bill into law.
The overall bill authorizes pay and benefits for our troops; creates a new portable retirement system for uniformed military; requires President Obama to submit a concrete strategy to defeat ISIS; and ensures that no GTMO prisoners will be transferred into the United States.
One of my other top priorities was ensuring my amendment to protect the C-130H aircraft was included and adopted into law. The amendment authorized $10 million toward the Air Force’s plan to modernize and preserve the C-130H fleet.
For decades, the C-130H has been a critical component of National Guard units across the country, particularly in St. Joe. The aircraft provides tactical support to our troops on the ground, protecting them from enemies and allowing them to more efficiently execute the missions that are critical to our national defense.
The Air Force has been taking positive steps to modernize the C-130H, but its plan lacked urgency. This amendment not only provides for Air National Guard units across the country, but it ensures the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe will be protected by this aircraft for decades to come. I am thankful that my amendment – and the overall defense authorization bill – was signed into law by the President last week.
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