House Votes on Troop Funding Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives voted on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, H.R. 1363, which will fund the Department of Defense through the end of the fiscal year. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) voted in favor of H.R. 1363 which passed the House by a vote of 247 to 189.

“Ensuring that those who are defending our freedom have the resources they need is a top priority,” said Dr. Burgess. “This funding should have been addressed well before now. We are currently involved in three wars and not ensuring that our troops receive this funding would be irresponsible.”

The Department of Defense Appropriations Act includes provisions that would prevent Guantanamo Bay detainees from being transferred into the United States, provides full funding to the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding for fiscal year 2011, and prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion in the District of Columbia. In addition, the legislation will provide funding for federal agencies for an additional week.

“We have already passed two bills that would provide funding for the government through the end of the fiscal year and would cut $61 billion in spending,” said Dr. Burgess.  “While our nation is engaged in combat it is vital that we ensure that our brave men and women, and their families, receive a paycheck on time and have the resources they need should the Senate continue to not take action in passing long-term funding and there be a government shutdown. Today’s legislation does just that.”

The legislation will now move to the Senate for debate and a vote.