Cochran Statement on Defense Appropriations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today released the following statement on the FY2017 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill:
“I am optimistic that Congress will approve this agreement and give the Department of Defense what it requires to keep our nation safe and meet the needs of our servicemen and women. We’ve tried to make the best decisions possible, within funding limitations, to support national security priorities like modernization of aging equipment and a pay increase for all military personnel.
“Our national defense should remain our highest priority, and I encourage the Congress to move to adopt this legislation.”
Cochran, as chairman of the Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense, worked to reach a conference agreement between the Senate and House of Representatives to complete FY2017 appropriations for the Department of Defense.
The FY2017 Department of Defense agreement recommends $516.1 billion in base Defense funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. The measure supports readiness and procurement needs, military personnel pay raises, and the Defense Department’s ability to meet emergency threats and ongoing operations in Afghanistan and against the Islamic State.
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