{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=528", "Shuster Slashes Government Waste and Supports our Soldiers with Vote to Pass National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013 Today, with Congressman Bill Shuster\u2019s support, the House overwhelmingly passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funds for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2014, by a vote of 350-69. This comprehensive bill maintains a strong national defense while simultaneously cutting government waste and eliminating unnecessary programs. \u201cThis is an important piece of legislation not only because it provides crucial support for American soldiers, but because it wastes less of the taxpayers\u2019 money on programs we don\u2019t need,\u201d says Shuster. \u201cIn a time when we face numerous emerging threats and the continued danger of international terrorism, this bill is gives our brave men and women in uniform the resources they need to continue protecting our nation. This is a defense bill for the 21st Century, and provides the tools needed to continue keeping America safe.\u201d In June, the House passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, drafted by the House Armed Services Committee. Today\u2019s bill is the product of an agreement reached with the Senate Armed Services Committee to incorporate their version of the bill, and showcases the deep level of bipartisan support for this legislation to support our military. The National Defense Authorization Act improves the ability of the armed forces to counter both traditional and non-traditional threats alike by restoring military readiness in a fiscally responsible way. The bill authorizes $552.1 billion in spending for national defense as well as an additional $80.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. This is in full compliance with the overall sequester cap of $967 billion for discretionary funding, and saves $7.8 billion on war spending alone. Additionally, FY14 NDAA ensures that we continue to honor those who have already served their country: our veterans. It includes provisions for education and civilian certification, protects the GI Bill, and addresses the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims backlog by requiring that the VA provide a detailed report to Congress on how the backlog will be solved no later than 60 days after the president signs the bill into law. \u201cWe have a duty to stand by our soldiers and give them the best tools and support possible to serve their country. The FY14 National Defense Authorization Act does just that,\u201d says Shuster. \u201cThese funds provide for Troop and Combat Pay, TRICARE benefits, and other vital programs that specifically support the war fighter and their families. It also includes measures to combat sexual assault in the military, expand religious freedom provisions, and strengthens congressional oversight of Department of Defense spending. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and someone that believes we need to eliminate waste at all levels of government, I am pleased to see the House pass this vital bill.\u201d # # #", 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://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=528"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3888808898627758, "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"}