Congressman MacArthur Votes to Support Joint Base, Keep Government Open

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Tom MacArthur released the following statement after voting for a legislative package that fully funds the new KC-46 tankers slated to come to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, gives our service members their largest pay increase in nine years, and provides billions in funding to combat the opioid crisis.

“This bill is an important step to solidify the future of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Our local economy and thousands of New Jerseyans depend on the Joint Base, the state’s second largest employer. With this $2.3 billion in funding for new KC-46 refueling tankers, Joint Base MDL will continue to play a vital role in our national security and South Jersey’s economy for years to come. The servicemen and women at JB MDL and those serving across the globe will also receive a 2.6% pay raise—their largest in nine years. The priorities laid out in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act now have the funding needed to improve readiness levels, increase training, and support the missions of our Armed Forces,” said Congressman MacArthur. “As co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, I’ve been an advocate for increased funding to fight the opioid epidemic, including funding to support state-level response. This funding bill also allocates nearly $7 billion to fight this epidemic, including funds that will allow South Jersey to better assist local prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts.”

“Voting against this bill is a vote against our service members, a vote against our commitment to helping those suffering from addition, and a vote to shut down the government,” continued Congressman MacArthur.

Congressman MacArthur has had numerous conversations with Joint Base officials regarding the negative impacts of continuing resolutions (CRs). CRs hinder our military’s capabilities to modernize equipment and restore readiness levels, and threaten our service member’s ability to effectively plan and execute its missions. This is the first time in ten years that the Department of Defense will not be operating under a CR. It is also the first time in more than two decades that the Department of Defense will have its full annual funding prior to the end of the current fiscal year.

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