National Defense
It's critical that we have a strong national defense. We must ensure that our troops at home and abroad have the tools they need to protect freedom and democracy across the globe. I'm committed to working together to ensure our military and our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to do their jobs.
Our Troops
It is critical that we have a strong national defense. We must ensure that our troops at home and abroad have the tools they need to protect freedom and democracy around the globe. I'm committed to working together to ensure our men and women in uniform have everything they need to do their jobs.
Taking Care of our Troops
Whether they are serving overseas or living here at home, supporting our troops is my top defense priority.
Raising Military Pay
I fought for the 3.5 percent pay raise for our troops that was included in the 2008 Defense Authorization Bill. I believe this is the least we can do for the men and women who do so much to secure our freedom. I strongly support the additional 3.9 percent pay increase included in the 2009 Defense Authorization Bill.
Tax Relief for the Troops
To help get our nation's service members tax relief, I introduced the Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act. The bill helps members of the military, when they receive combat pay, to save for retirement or purchase their own homes. I've introduced this legislation because of the tremendous respect I have for our nation's military. This bill honors the sacrifices, great and small, that the men and women of the armed services make for our country each day. This legislation puts dollars in the pockets of soldiers and veterans, and gets rid of unnecessary tax restrictions on military families, who have much more important things to worry about than jumping through hoops and navigating red tape. I was proud to see these important provisions passed into law this year.
Providing Better Care for our Veterans Suffering from Behaviorial Health Issues
I have always been very concerned with our returning veterans' mental health needs. It pains me to hear of young men and women whose lives are ended too soon or who have to silently battle behavioral health issues.
I met with Undersecretary of Defense Dr. David Chu to urge him to increase screenings for Montana's returning vets. I was pleased when the Montana National Guard agreed and took the initiative to start an innovative PTSD screening program. After that, I felt we needed to bring Montana's success to the national level through legislation.
That is why I introduced the Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009, because preventing just one needless tragedy is more than worth it. This legislation, modeled on the Montana National Guard's successful PTSD screening program, requires the military to provide person-to-person mental health screenings for every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine after they return from combat and every six months thereafter for two years. Recently, through hard work with my senate colleagues, this program was added as an amendment to the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. I anticipate that the bill will become law in the near future.
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors.
If you are a veteran in crisis or know someone who is, call: 1-800-273-TALK, Veterans Press 1.
Protecting Malmstrom Air Force Base
As a member of the Air Force and Space Power Caucus in Congress, I have fought hard to keep the Malmstrom mission secure.
I have been a leader in bringing a new mission to Malmstrom. I met with the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force in Great Falls to highlight the many assets Malmstrom has to offer. I asked Secretary Donley and General Schwartz to take a hard look at bringing new missions to Malmstrom, including initiating an active association with the Montana Air National Guard.
I've been hard at work ensuring Malmstrom remains a world-class military facility. I helped secure $140 million for the housing units that were needed to accommodate the growing needs of military families and personnel. I also fought to secure seven million dollars to build a new community activities center, and secured $13.5 million for a new physical fitness center. This facility is vital for the health, morale and welfare of the military personnel, readying them for their missions.
I also fought to save the Montana Air National Guard's mission in Montana. After a Pentagon report recommended moving the mission to another state, I hosted meetings with other missile state Senators and coordinated with General James Cartwright, former commander of STRATCOM, and General Tom Deppe, former commander of the 20th Air Force. My leadership led to the restoration of the Montana Air National Guard's mission, saving nearly a thousand jobs for the Great Falls community. Our advocacy on behalf of the Montana Air National Guard has also helped land Great Falls on the Air Force's road map of future sites for F-35s, which demonstrates that the future of the Montana Air National Guard's mission is secure.
Senator Tester and I will continue to fight for the future of Malmstrom.
