Rutherford Votes to Fund Our Troops and National Defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rutherford released the following statement after voting in support of the Fiscal Year 2017 (FY2017) Defense Appropriations bill:

"Today's vote represents a down payment toward the rebuilding of America's military. The defense funding bill I supported today reinforces our promise to our military at home and abroad by dedicating the funding needed to keep our nation safe. Northeast Florida is home to critical military installations that are essential to foreign and domestic missions, and this legislation ensures that the servicemen and women stationed there and across the country have the tools they need to fulfill their duties. The bill reverses the drawdown of troops by the Obama Administration, improves readiness, and fully funds a 2.1% pay raise for our service men and women in recognition of the sacrifices our troops and their families make for their fellow citizens. I remain committed to ensuring our troops have the resources and support they need to protect our nation. Passage of this bill is a great step forward in our goal to maintain peace through strength and will support our military in its fight against terror abroad."

The FY2017 Defense Appropriations bill provides $577.9 billion in funding - a $5.2 billion increase over the previous fiscal year - and fully funds military personnel levels and pay, DoD operations, procurement of equipment, research and development. Read more about the bill here.