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News from
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH $9.5 MILLION FOR SD PROJECTS Includes Pay Raise for Military Personnel; Invests in the Future of the B-1 Bomber and Funds Critical Equipment Needs for Troops
August 6, 2007, Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives this weekend passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill. The bill includes more than $9.5 million in funding for South Dakota projects requested by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, as well as a pay raise for military personnel, funding for critical equipment and readiness needs for our troops, and an investment in the future of the B-1 Bomber. Herseth Sandlin said, “I’m proud to support a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and funding for health care for those who serve our country in uniform. These are national priorities and should be included in the ongoing cost of war.” Herseth Sandlin continued, “Importantly, the bill also provides funding for high-priority equipment needs for our National Guard and Reserve units, some of which are experiencing critical equipment shortfalls and deficiencies. It also contains significant resources to invest in the future of the B-1 Bomber, including the fleet at Ellsworth Air Force Base.” Herseth Sandlin noted that the bill addresses a number of our military’s readiness needs, an issue that has been of growing concern among many in Congress. Recent reports have indicated Army readiness has dropped to levels not seen since the 1970s, and Army National Guard units have only 56 percent of their required equipment, the lowest levels since September 11, 2001. Additionally, many stateside units are not fully equipped and would not be considered ready if called upon to respond during an emergency. Overall, the bill also contains $459.6 billion for Defense Department programs in FY 2008, including:
The bill also contains $9,525,000 for research and defense-related projects specific to South Dakota, requested by Rep. Herseth Sandlin, including:
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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. |
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