Rep. Yoho Statement on Passage of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY2015

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL-03) voted in favor of H.R. 4870 - Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act, 2015. This bill funds the DOD for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015.  Within this bill, Congressman Yoho – along with Rep. Conyers (D-MI) – inserted an amendment that would prevent the US from providing any Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) to rebels fighting in Syria. The Congressman released the this statement following the vote:

“I would like to thank Rep. Conyers for joining me, in a bipartisan effort, to keep US weapons and equipment out of the hands of Syrian rebels. With so many combatants involved in that conflict, sending rebels easily concealed shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles could come back to bite us. Distributing these weapons to Syrian rebels only increases the chances that these weapons will end up in the wrong hands and be used against American in the region.  This amendment shows that Members from both parties can come together for the good of America and our troops.

In addition to our amendment, the defense bill we supported today funds key readiness programs, authorizes pay raises for military personnel, maintains 100% of troop housing costs, and provides medical care for our soldiers, their families, and retirees.”

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Congressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida’s 3rd Congressional District