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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted today in favor of the Conference Report on H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. The bill authorizes budget authority for the Department of Defense and national security programs. Contained within the bill are a number of military personnel provisions, including provisions to address the backlog of claims at the Department of Veteran Affairs and authorize a 1.7 percent pay increase for military personnel.

“Despite these difficult budget times, it remains critical that we provide our men and women in the military with the necessary resources and tools to complete current missions and defend against future threats. I was pleased to see that the bill advances a strong national defense and security, as well as honors the service of our men and women in uniform, veterans, and their families while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Congressman Latta.

Also included in the final report is the authorization of funding to keep the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, also known as the Lima Army Tank Plant, operating through 2014. Specifically, the funding will support production of future M1A2 Abrams tank upgrades at the Lima Tank Plant. In January of this year, the Defense Department announced proposals to the Fiscal Year 2013 budget that would close the Lima tank program until 2017.

“The Lima Army Tank Plant plays an important role in our national defense and supports many jobs, directly and indirectly, in Lima and throughout the state of Ohio. Ensuring that this world class facility, with a unique manufacturing skill set, remains in operation is vital to both our national security and to northwest Ohio’s economy,” Latta concluded.

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