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WASHINGTON – Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today voted in favor of legislation that would fund a number of important resources for America’s military personnel and their families. 

“Providing for the common defense of the United States of America is the federal government’s primary duty,” said Foxx. “This bill maintains the nation’s defense readiness and gives our men and women in uniform the resources they need to carry out their missions.”

H.R. 2685, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016, would provide $578.6 billion in discretionary funding for the nation’s military and defense initiatives, including $88.4 billion for overseas contingency operations. It provides a 2.3 percent pay raise for service members, which is above President Obama’s request of 1.3 percent. 

The legislation passed the House by a vote of 278- 149. 

During a speech on the House floor, Foxx criticized Senate Democrats, who have threatened to block consideration of any appropriations bill until Republicans meet their demands for increased government spending.

“In a time of grave threats to our nation, we must be vigilant, determined and united in full support of our military personnel,” said Foxx. “Holding hostage funding for our troops, their families and the nation’s veterans in order to extract more taxpayer dollars for Washington bureaucracies is the worst kind of political gamesmanship.” 

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U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.