Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Secures Funding for Hawai"i Military Priorities in Defense Bill

Statement

At 4:45 A.M. this morning, after a House Armed Services Committee meeting that lasted over 18 hours, U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 (NDAA). The Committee passed the funding measure by a bipartisan vote of 60-2.

"With competing priorities, readiness needs, and a variety of threats that are constantly evolving in different parts of the world, it's important that we ensure our troops have the resources they need to do their job in keeping the American people safe," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

"Given the evolving threats we face in the Asia-Pacific region, I'm pleased that in addition to almost $500 million in investment for Hawai"i military infrastructure, two of my own amendments were included in the bill that help ensure Hawai"i will be protected against missile threats from North Korea. Additionally, Congressman John Kline and I worked together to include an amendment that will keep the pressure on the Pentagon to provide access to affordable healthcare for those military retirees who live outside the TRICARE Prime service area. The Department of Defense's 2013 policy change disproportionately negatively impacted our neighbor island residents, which is a wrong that must be fixed."

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