Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, tonight voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012, a bill which sets Department of Defense spending and policy. Larsen, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, served on the House-Senate conference committee that produced the final bill.
“First and foremost this bipartisan legislation supports our troops,” Larsen said. “By providing for a pay raise of 1.6 percent and providing for important tools like mine-resistant vehicles and technologies to combat improvised explosive devices, Congress is meeting its important duty to look after our troops who are serving their nation.
“The bill also includes several provisions important to Northwest Washington. It provides $1 billion for purchase of Navy Growler jets, all of which are currently based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. It also authorizes $14.9 billion for Navy ship construction. Northwest Washington is a key base for Navy activities, and these programs will strengthen their presence in our region.
“I’m also encouraged that the bill includes $2.3 billion for nuclear nonproliferation programs, and includes other important nonproliferation policies.
“The detainee language that was in the earlier Senate bill has been appropriately modified. The language makes clear that no U.S. citizens can be detained by the military. The provision only applies to foreign Al Qaeda terrorists. Additionally the bill gives the President has a waiver to set aside the provision when he judges it to be in the interest of national security.
“As we transition out of Iraq and wind down our presence in Afghanistan, one of my top priorities is pushing the Defense Department, specifically the Navy, to pivot to the Asia-Pacific region. The United States is poised to play an important role in the area economically, diplomatically and militarily. We need to aggressively pursue opportunities in the region.”
