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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his colleagues in voting to pass H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill that funds a 2.6% increase in pay for members of the military, improves readiness, modernizes equipment, and boosts health care programs for troops and their families. The bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 359-49.

“The DoD Appropriations bill last year began the process of rebuilding our military after years of drawdowns,” said Latta. “This legislation builds on that success by improving military readiness and supporting the men and women in our armed services – and their families. We’ll also increase training time, along with upgrading equipment and facility maintenance. With an increasingly dangerous world, we must continue to provide our military with the tools they need to accomplish our national goals.” 

The DoD Appropriations bill:

• Includes funding for a 2.6% pay raise for troops, the largest pay raise in 9 years
• Boosts funding for the Defense Health Program which serves troops, military families, and retirees
• Improves military readiness by increasing funding for training, maintenance, and base operations over FY18 levels
• Provides appropriations for 12 Navy ships, two Virginia-class submarines, three Littoral Combat Ships, 58 Black Hawk Helicopters, and upgrades 135 Abrams tanks and more

In addition, Latta was named to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Committee yesterday. The NDAA is the annual defense authorization bill, and the Conference Committee will help iron out differences between the NDAAs passed in the House and Senate.   

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