WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after supporting H.R. 2685, which provides funding for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2016:
“Congress has a constitutional duty to provide for our nation’s defense, which necessitates an understanding of potential threats around the world and the development of a strategy to counter those threats. Our budget absolutely must be dictated by our strategy and not the other way around. Without effective funding levels, our critical defense programs cannot operate successfully and our armed forces are collectively weakened.
“This bill funds our force at responsible levels and puts our military in a position to ensure it will be ready for whatever contingency the future may present. It also accomplishes other important initiatives, including providing a pay increase for military personnel and prohibiting funding to transfer or release Guantanamo Bay detainees to the U.S. I also joined a bipartisan group of members in fighting to ensure funding for the construction of the replacement for the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, which is a long-term strategic necessity.
“As Readiness Chairman, I fight every day to ensure that our force is manned, trained, resourced, and equipped to enter harm’s way only with overwhelming superiority. The indiscriminate and unbalanced budget cuts sustained by DOD in recent years have undercut these capabilities, and we absolutely must restore what has been lost while also preserving what has been retained.”
Watch: Wittman floor remarks on National Sea-based Deterrent Fund
Watch: Wittman floor remarks on Guantanamo Bay amendment
Listen: Wittman discusses Ohio Class submarine replacement funding on Hugh Hewitt Show
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.
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