Garamendi Supports Travis & Beale Air Force Bases in Defense Bill Debate

Early this morning, the House Armed Services Committee completed consideration of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03) voted in favor of the bill.

The legislation was voted out of Committee 61-0 and awaits a vote on the House Floor in the next few weeks.

“This legislation is very important for the military communities in my district. I am glad we were able to develop a bipartisan bill to provide for a smart and strong defense,” said Congressman Garamendi. “While every bill can be improved, this legislation is a good step forward.” 

Congressman Garamendi has supported the missions at Travis and Beale Air Force bases, which are both located in the 3rd Congressional District. Travis is located in Fairfield and carries out an Air Mobility mission. Beale, located near Marysville, carries out an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. 

“The work of Travis and Beale Airmen is crucial for America’s 21st Century national defense. The ability to rapidly collect intelligence and deploy defense assets is key to advancing our national interests: winning on the battlefield, preventing conflicts, and responding to humanitarian disasters,” Congressman Garamendi said. 

“In promoting the interests of the bases, my office has an excellent partner in the Solano and Yuba/Suttercommunities. I am grateful for their support.” 

Faced with Congress’s constraining austerity budgets, the President’s Budget proposed phasing out the KC-10 tanker and the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, which are based at Travis and Beale respectively. 

Congressman Garamendi inserted NDAA language that would prevent the premature retirement of these aircraft (click here for text of this language and click here for text of the entire NDAA). This language was included in the “Chairman’s Mark” of the NDAA and the amended version voted out of Committee.

Information provided by Congressman's office.