{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://carter.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=40&itemid=1854", "Fort Hood Combat Readiness funded in NDAA", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fort Hood Combat Readiness funded in NDAA\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act Thursday, which authorizes funding at $526.8 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD) discretionary base budget. \u00a0Rep. Carter, Vice Chairman of\u00a0Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, represents Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the world and says the NDAA will restore readiness to the Armed Forces. The package passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and a vote of 350-69.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMilitary readiness is lower than it has been in decades. This is completely unacceptable and is a worry that keeps me up at night. The President\u2019s sequester forced cuts across the DoD, stifling readiness operations, including training. We must ensure our troops are ready for action if and when we call them up to serve our country in a time of need,\u201d said Rep. Carter. \u201cThe NDAA will restore vital readiness operations and provide a viable budget that supports high priority national security initiatives.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe NDAA also ensures the religious liberties of military members and chaplains are protected.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur men and women in uniform should never have to censor their religious affiliation. This section of the NDAA will ensure soldiers can support religious organizations of their choosing,\u201d said Rep. Carter.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe initial NDAA also included language requiring DoD to reexamine awarding the Purple Heart medal and benefits to the victims of the Fort Hood shooting. The language requires a response within 180 days.\r\n\r\n\tThe NDAA also includes the following:\r\n \r\n\t\r\n\t\tProvides additional funding for Guard and Reserve equipment,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tRequires reports from DoD on Benghazi,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCombats Sexual Assaults in the Military,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tProhibits the transfer of GITMO detainees to the U.S.,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPlaces restrictions on funding to Pakistan,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tRecognizes the continued threats by Iran,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tRestores vital readiness accounts to cover underfunded combat operations.\r\n \r\n\r\n\tAbrams tank upgrades will also take place under the NDAA, providing additional funding for upgrades and heavy equipment recovery vehicles for the Army. Much of this vital work is done by Texans.\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://carter.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=40&itemid=1854"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5240469947457314, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}