A.G. Gancarski
Rep. John Rutherford enters Memorial Day weekend with some convincing wins for the defense industry in Northeast Florida, via the National Defense Authorization Act.
The bill passed the House 351-66, and awaits Senate review.
Assuming the appropriations stay where they are, Rutherford is lauding some key points for the Jacksonville area.
““I am especially proud to see the bill included many major wins for Northeast Florida. This includes $111 million for military construction at Naval Station Mayport, three Littoral Combat Ships, as well as strong support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, P-8A Poseidon, A-29, and MQ-4C Triton. It also reflects Congress’s commitment to the ship building and repair industry, which is critical to the First Coast economy. I was proud to fight for these programs, and I will continue to do so as we consider the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bills,” Rutherford asserted.
There are gains that extend beyond the region, Rutherford said.
“The House has delivered on our promise to reinvest in our military, which has suffered from insufficient resources and budget uncertainty,” said Rutherford. “This bill responds directly to the deficient readiness levels of our armed forces, while also increasing capability and investments. The bill includes the largest pay increase for our troops in nine years, grows the size of our forces to suit our military needs, counters global threats like Iran, and reforms the Pentagon bureaucracy.”
Rutherford, as his first term ends, is amassing more power on Capitol Hill by the week.
This month saw the Congressman added to the powerful Appropriations Committee.
In that capacity, Rutherford will be on three subpanels: the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, and Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.
Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey said Rutherford is “a very welcome new member of our team, and his hard work ethic and expertise on a wide range of issues will be put to good use.”
Rutherford has no primary opposition in Florida’s 4th Congressional District, but is gearing up for a challenge from a variety of other candidates, including Democrat Ges Selmont and perpetual NPA candidate Gary Koniz.
Firmly ensconced on a powerful committee, with $300,000 in the bank and strong name recognition in the safe Republican district, the Congressman appears to be the favorite for re-election.
