PRESIDENT SIGNS APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION BILLS
On September 29, President George W. Bush signed into law the $447.4 billion Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2007, which funds the war on terrorism, supports the armed forces and advances other U.S. interests abroad.
The bill includes $70 billion in emergency supplemental funds. Of that amount, $17.1 billion is slated for the Army to repair or replace battle-worn equipment. In addition, it includes a stopgap budget measure that will temporarily fund programs covered by appropriations bills that were not completed before Congress recessed.
The legislation also includes:
- $3.5 billion for the Future Combat System, an increase of $300 million from fiscal 2006, but approximately $400 million less than the President requested.
- Funding to support an Army National Guard end strength of 350,000 soldiers.
- $1.1 billion for body armor and personal protection equipment.
- $320 million to replace 20 Black Hawk helicopters; $512 million to replace 17 Chinook helicopters; and $621 million to replace 18 Apache aircraft.
Before signing the bill into law, the President said, “I applaud Congress for passing legislation that will provide our men and women in uniform with the necessary resources to protect our country and win the war on terrorism. As our troops risk their lives to fight terrorism, this bill will ensure they are prepared to defeat today’s enemies and address tomorrow’s threats.”
On September 30 the U.S. Senate passed the $532.8 billion authorization bill by unanimous consent. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a 398 to 23 vote the day before. The bill was signed by the President on October 17.
The authorization bill includes funding for the following:
- A 2.2 percent pay raise for all members of the military.
- An increase of 30,000 soldiers for the active Army.
- $499 million for National Guard personnel, operations and maintenance and the defense health program.
- $318 million for National Guard end strength.
- $109.7 million for signal jamming devices that will prevent the radio initiation of roadside bombs.
- $23.8 billion for shortfalls in maintenance, recapitalization and replacement in equipment for both the Army and Marine Corps in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
- $2.6 billion for a 30,000 increase in Army personnel.
- $2.3 billion for Army construction projects.
- $1 billion for up-armored Humvees for all military services.
The bill includes provisions for additional safeguards for servicemembers and their families who have extended credit. Among the safeguards is a 36 percent cap on the annual interest rate.
The bill also prohibits, until September 30, 2007, the Defense Department’s ability to increase TRICARE Prime, Standard and TRICARE Reserve Select cost shares. In addition, it blocks increases in pharmacy cost shares for beneficiaries in the Defense Health program.
Also, eligibility for TRICARE coverage for members of the Selected Reserve and their families has been expanded by providing TRICARE standard coverage for servicemembers not on active duty for a nominal cost share.