Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (WV-02) released the following statement after voting for H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which passed the House. Facing budget constraints, this year's authorization provides for a strong defense while still being prudent with taxpayer dollars. This legislation looks out for our troops by providing them with a pay raise, rejecting attempts to increase Tricare fees and making sweeping changes to military sexual assault laws.
"We live in a dangerous world and it is imperative that we are not only providing our troops with the critical resources they need, but we are preparing for future threats. This year's National Defense Authorization Act looks out for our nation's troops and their families by increasing their pay and rejecting the administration's attempts to increase Tricare fees. And with sexual assaults in the military on the rise, Congress made preventing and prosecuting these horrible acts a cornerstone of this legislation. Taking steps to do that, it provides mandatory sentences for sexual assault and bolsters whistle blower protections. It also strips commanders of the authority to overturn a sexual assault conviction by a military jury, while still keeping the prosecution inside the chain of command."