U.S. REP. RON BARBER VOTES TO FUND STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, calling Southern Arizona military installations key to the nation’s security, voted with a strong bipartisan majority in the House to approve the Department of Defense budget for the next fiscal year.

“Southern Arizona is home to two military installations that are vital to our national defense,” Barber, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said.

Barber cited “Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, one of our nation’s leading tactical command centers, and Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, which is a Center of Excellence for intelligence and cultural training.”

Barber also praised the 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, based at Tucson International Airport, just outside of Barber’s district. The 162nd trains F-16 pilots from around the world.

“These bases, surrounding industry, service members and civilian personnel are imperative to our national security and my district’s local economy,” Barber added in his remarks. “The bill that we passed ensures our nation’s readiness and support for our military families.”

Barber joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle in voting to pass the FY 2013 Defense Department Appropriations Bill by a 326-to-90 margin.

The bill contains $519 billion for the base Department of Defense budget plus an additional $88.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan. That war funding is $26.6 less than had been requested as troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan.

The bill also includes a pay raise for members of the military, stronger health care services for troops and their families, and $2.3 billion for family support and advocacy programs. There also is $1.6 billion for measures to counter improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

Barber long has been a strong supporter of the military and was raised in a military family stationed at Davis-Monthan.

In 2011, as district director for then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Barber directed efforts that prevented the closure of the Air Operations Command Center at D-M. He worked with other elected officials and business leaders to devise an effective advocacy strategy.

And in 2009, Barber led efforts to stop the transfer of the maintenance unit at the 162nd, saving hundreds of jobs.

NEWS RELEASE
Friday, July 20, 2012


CONTACT
Mark Kimble
Communications Director
U.S. Rep. Ron Barber
Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
(520) 881-3588 or (520) 904-5876