Congressman Bill Owens Supports Pay Raise for Troops, Military Families

Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Owens today voted to support the troops by providing them with the weapons, support, and equipment needed to complete their mission overseas. Today’s legislation, the Defense Appropriations Act, also makes investments in the health, well-being and readiness of the armed forces, and provides armed services members and their families with a pay raise to reward them for their efforts in defense of the country.

“We have tasked America’s sons and daughters with a tremendous mission in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the globe, and it is our job to ensure that they have everything they need,” said Owens. “While our fighting men and women keep us safe here at home, we can do our best to keep them safe overseas by providing them appropriate body armor, safer vehicles and other equipment.”

In addition to a pay increase, today’s legislation includes a number of additional provisions to support our troops including:

• $500 for every month that a soldier’s service is involuntarily extended through stop loss.
• Over $29 billion in the Defense Health Program to support military families in need of job training, child care and other services
• Allowing the Inspector General to hire additional investigators to ensure proper oversight of Department of Defense acquisition and contracting.
• Increased funding for training and readiness to ensure that troops in the field are fully prepared

Congressman Owens is a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Armed Services Committee.