Our military’s core mission is the defense of our nation and must not be jeopardized by the fallout from President Obama’s failed immigration policies. With the growing global threats of terrorism, how could any president think that housing illegal immigrants on military installations is the right thing to do? Yet President Obama proposed just that early this year. Just the thought that he would do so is an insult to our warriors at Fort Hood and across the military.
I’m proud that Congress has passed the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which contains language based on my Resist Executive Amnesty on Defense Installations (READI) Act that bans illegal immigrant minors from being housed on any military installation, not just Ft. Hood. This is a great win for our military and for our national security.
Housing illegal immigrants on military installations like Fort Hood harms our warriors by causing a distraction on bases set up to train the best military force in the world. Additionally, housing illegal immigrants near live fire ranges, large military tanks, and other combat-ready equipment is irresponsible and unsafe. I am proud the FY17 NDAA ensures we do not distract from the military’s core mission, while at the same time does what is in the best interest of illegal immigrants facing temporary housing while awaiting a hearing.
While the president sought housing for illegal immigrants, he abandoned military readiness. He has allowed our Army to become the smallest since before World War II, our Navy the smallest since 1916 and our smallest Air Force since its inception in 1947. He has also canceled or delayed nearly 50 critical national security procurement programs over two terms. Only one-third of Army Brigade Combat Teams are ready for contingency operations. In the Air Force, less than 50 percent of the service’s combat air forces meet full-spectrum readiness requirements. The Navy has extended deployments, increased operational tempos and shortened, eliminated or deferred training and maintenance.
Thankfully, Congress is reversing that trend, beginning with the FY2017 NDAA. In addition to the inclusion of the READI Act, the NDAA supports $619 billion for national defense. The bill stops the drawdown of the military, increases our troop strength and readiness, and provides the largest pay increase for our troops in more than six years. It improves access to quality care for warfighters, retirees, and their families, while sustaining these benefits for generations to come. The reforms make no changes to out-of-pocket costs for current force or retirees and provides more flexibility in the choice of care and access to urgent care. Additionally, it makes no changes to the basic allowance for housing, including dual military families. It provides for reform of the commissaries, and ensures good value for our military and taxpayers.
I am proud to support this very important, bipartisan legislation that supports our military, strengthens our national security, and keeps our warriors focused on their mission and not supporting President Obama’s immigration failures. Of utmost importance to me is the authorization to increase military end strength, with the largest increase in the Army, stopping the Obama Administration’s massive military cuts.
At a time when we are facing growing global threats to our national security we must stand on the side of our brave military men and women, and stand up for our great nation’s security. This includes staying focused on the military’s mission, and not allowing for distractions like housing illegal immigrants on military installations. I’m honored my colleagues agree with me, and we can bring our military force back to the strength our nation deserves.
Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the House Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
