The U.S. House approved a defense budget for fiscal year 2013 yesterday by 326 votes to 90 (roll call). Four of the five members of Iowa’s delegation supported the bill. After the jump I’ve posted details about how the Iowans voted on key defense budget amendments as well as on final passage. Statements released by each of the representatives are at the end of this post.

Starting from the end of the story: Democrat Bruce Braley (IA-01) was the only Iowan to vote against the defense appropriations bill, H.R. 5856. In a statement I enclosed below, Braley said he supported many of the provisions in the defense budget but “cannot vote to spend nearly $90 billion to continue combat operations in Afghanistan that began over a decade ago.” Braley has repeatedly called for ending our military involvement in Afghanistan. Similar concerns prompted him to vote against the initial and final version of the defense appropriations bill for the current fiscal year.

Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Leonard Boswell (IA-03) were among the 101 House Democrats to vote for final passage of the defense budget. In statements I enclose below, Loebsack hailed “another step forward” for keeping the 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines, while Boswell called attention to increased funding for preventing military suicides. Boswell spoke on the House floor in favor of an amendment that passed by voice vote, which “shifts $10 million from training Afghan security forces to fighting suicide in the ranks of the U.S. military.” He deserves a lot of credit for working on this issue over the years. An estimated 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or depression, which contributes to the high suicide rate among U.S. veterans. In 2009 and 2010, the U.S. military “lost more troops to suicide than […] to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan,” and that statistic reflects only active-duty suicides, not the much larger number of veterans who killed themselves during those years.

Tom Latham (IA-04) and Steve King (IA-05) were among the 225 Republicans to support the bill. King’s press release, enclosed below, emphasized his amendment requiring that “no money spent on our military will be used to violate the Defense of Marriage Act.” Latham’s statement highlighted the provision blocking cuts to the 132nd Fighter Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how the Iowans voted on some of the amendments House members considered before passing the defense budget. Pete Kasperowicz of The Hill summarized many of the amendments here. The roll call votes are here. Some other amendments were accepted or rejected by voice votes, including the funding for suicide prevention I mentioned above.

Disclaimer: it’s not always easy to identify the significant votes on defense budget amendments. I thought I was fairly thorough last year, but I ignored a a useless, politically opportunistic amendment that showed up later in Republican Ben Lange’s case against Braley.

King’s marriage amendment became one of the high-profile votes yesterday. He is trying to stamp out any actions within the military that could be seen as supporting same-sex marriage.

“We saw the president of the United States make some statements along the way that his position was evolving on marriage,” King said. “That seemed to be a signal to the Department of Defense, who issued two memorandum.”

DOD issued memos last year saying certain military facilities might be used for same-sex marriage, and that military chaplains may officiate in same-sex marriages. King said those policy changes violate DOMA, under which the federal government sees marriage as being between a man and a woman.

“Pretty simple statute being contravened by the directives of the president of the United States as exercised through the secretary of Defense,” King said.

That amendment passed by 247 votes to 166. While 17 Blue Dogs crossed over to support King’s effort, Boswell stuck with Braley, Loebsack, and most other House Democrats in voting no.

A separate amendment sponsored by King failed yesterday. That language would have barred the use of defense budget funds “to administer the wage-rate requirements of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (Davis-Bacon Act).” Although most of the GOP caucus voted for that amendment (including Latham), 54 House Republicans joined the entire Democratic caucus in voting no.

Several Democratic amendments to limit or reduce military spending failed on roll-call votes. Pete Kasperowicz reported,

• Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), to set Pentagon spending levels at 2008 levels, plus inflation, reducing spending by $19.2 billion. Failed 87-326.

• Lee, to limit DOD spending to 2011 levels, cutting $7.6 billion. Failed 171-243.

• Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), to prohibit funds from being used to continue the deployment, beyond fiscal year 2013, of the 170th Infantry Brigade in Baumholder and the 172nd Infantry Brigade in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Allows rotational forces, but no permanent deployment, in Europe. Failed 123-292.

• John Garamendi (D-Calif.), to reduce Title IX – Overseas Deployment and Other Activities to $12.6 billion. Exempts Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, Defense Health Program, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities – Defense, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund, and Office for the Inspector General from any reductions in funding. Failed 137-278.

Iowa’s five representatives split on party lines over the Garamendi amendment. Braley and Loebsack voted for the Coffman amendment, while Boswell, Latham, and King voted against it. Braley was the only Iowan to vote for reducing defense spending to 2008 levels. Braley and Boswell voted for limiting defense spending to 2011 levels, while Loebsack, Latham, and King voted against it.

Jamie Dupree reported on other failed attempts to trim military spending.

This year, military bands have a budget of $388 million, which covers 140 different musical groups and over 5,000 musicians in the military.

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) wanted to pull that budget number back to $200 million – which still might seem like too much to some taxpayers.

“The Pentagon is on pace to spend $4 billion over the next decade on military bands,” said McCollum, as she asked the House to chop $188 million from the military music budget for next year.

But McCollum ran head first into veteran lawmakers with strong ties to the Pentagon, who frowned on her bid to rein in this part of the military budget.

I always love it when self-styled deficit hawks oppose even modest defense budget cuts. If you believe the federal deficit poses a national security threat, you should look for ways to cut unnecessary spending. But we can’t possibly expect the military to function with only $200 million to spend next year on bands. CORRECTION: Braley, Loebsack, and Latham voted for McCollum’s amendment, but Boswell and King voted against the cuts.

Dupree also noted that House members rejected a Republican amendment “to cut $72 million from the budget to stop Pentagon sponsorships in major sports like NASCAR.”

“Number one, it’s not effective,” said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), who cited $26 million in sponsorship spending by the National Guard, which delivered the Guard only 20 potential recruits.

And not one of them joined up according to the military.

“Zero recruits – not effective,” said Kingston. “We can spend this money a lot better than we are spending today.”

Kingston said the sponsorships at NASCAR events are a good example, because most of the audience is too old to join the military.

Braley and King voted for that amendment, but for reasons I do not understand, Loebsack, Boswell, and Latham preferred to keep spending tens of millions of dollars on sports sponsorships. UPDATE: Loebsack’s communications director Joe Hand responded to my request for comment:

As someone with a step-son and daughter-in-law in the Marines, Dave knows that giving those who wish to join the Armed Forces the chance to serve our nation and get the chance to attend college because of GI Bill benefits is both an honor and a tremendous opportunity.  Our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen protect our state and our nation with tremendous dedication and many are proud that Dale Earnhardt Jr represents them on the track.  At a time when only one out of every four Americans are eligible to serve and only one percent of all Americans are in the Armed Forces, Dave believes our Armed Forces should be able to raise awareness of opportunities to serve our country.

Speaking of resistance to cutting the military budget, the House voted by 247 votes to 167 to “freeze spending at the FY2012 levels ($518 billion),” but that amendment exempted “Military Personnel, Defense Health, and Overseas Contingency Operations.” Braley, Loebsack, Boswell, and Latham all voted for the amendment. King voted against it, I assume because he would like to increase military spending during the next fiscal year.

Two other successful Republican amendments would “prohibit funds from being used to reduce the nuclear forces of the U.S.” and bar the Defense Department from spending any money reducing various nuclear weapons delivery vehicles. Iowa’s representatives split on party lines on both of those amendments.

Any relevant comments are welcome in this thread.

Statement from Representative Bruce Braley (emphasis in original):

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after voting against a $607 billion defense spending bill:

“While there are parts of the Defense Appropriations Bill that I strongly support – a pay raise for our troops and a provision blocking cuts to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines, for example – I cannot vote to spend nearly $90 billion to continue combat operations in Afghanistan that began over a decade ago.

“We have accomplished the objectives of our mission in Afghanistan.  Osama bin Laden is dead, al-Qaida has been marginalized, and the Afghan government has been stabilized.  It’s time to bring our brave men and women home to their families and focus on rebuilding America.”

Statement from Representative Dave Loebsack:

Loebsack: Another Step Forward for Keeping 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines

Defense Appropriations Bill Mirrors Loebsack Amendment to Block National Guard Cuts

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House passed the FY 2013 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which blocks cuts to the 132nd Fighter Wing and Air National Guard units across the country for one year and requires a Government Accountability Office cost-benefit analysis of the Air Force’s proposal.  This action builds on Loebsack’s bipartisan amendment in the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent cuts to the National Guard personnel and aircraft in Iowa and across the nation.  His amendment was approved by the full House of Representatives as part of the NDAA in May.

“The passage of this legislation is another step in the right direction for the Airmen with the 132nd who are some of the most experienced, most cost effective, and best performing in the country.  I have fought the Air Force’s ill advised proposal from the beginning and I will continue to work to make sure the dedicated men and women of the 132nd do not see their positions eliminated.”

Background:

February 9- Loebsack Statement on Iowa Delegation Meeting with Air Force Secretary

February 28- Loebsack Questions Air Force Leadership on Proposal to Retire Iowa Air National Guard F16s

March 6- Loebsack Statement Regarding 132nd Fighter Wing Staffing Announcement by the Air Force

May 9- Loebsack to Offer Amendment to Save the 132nd Fighter Wing

May 10- Loebsack Amendment to Save the 132nd Fighter Wing Passes Committee on Bipartisan Vote

May 18- Loebsack Amendment to Save 132nd Fighter Wing Passes House

July 12- Loebsack, Branstad Discuss Importance of Iowa’s Air Guard During House Hearing

Statement from Representative Leonard Boswell:

Boswell Successfully Increases Much-Needed Funding for Soldier Suicide Prevention in Defense Appropriations Bill

Suicide epidemic among military requires immediate attention, resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3) successfully passed his amendment to the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations bill that increases critical funding for suicide prevention for active duty military by $10 million.

“With the epidemic of soldier suicides now eclipsing deaths on the battlefield and the Institute of Medicine and other medical experts calling for more screening for PTSD, now is not the time to be cutting any mental health funding – in fact, we should be increasing the availability of resources to combat this growing national concern. A soldier is taking their own life every single day. Estimates show hundreds of thousands of our currently deployed troops have symptoms of PTSD and just half of those who are eventually diagnosed will actually receive treatment,” Boswell said.

“We have a responsibility to eliminate the stigma shrouding mental health issues so our soldiers get the proper care they deserve. That means providing the necessary resources to educate, diagnose and treat. Our troops and their families depend on Congress to do the right thing on this issue. I’m pleased my colleagues joined me in setting politics aside to address this serious issue among our service members.”

Boswell, a 20-year Army veteran, has been a longtime proponent of military service-members’ and veterans’ health issues. In May, Boswell successfully included an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which directed the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the effects of multiple deployments on the well-being of military personnel and their families. Additionally, Boswell was also able to pass his amendment that required the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments to conduct a joint study on the incidence rate of breast cancer in service members and veterans.

In 2007, Boswell’s legislation, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, was the first major legislation passed and signed into law to address and prevent veteran suicide. Since enactment, the Veterans Crisis Hotline and VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators have made more than 21,000 life-saving rescues.

I did not see any comment from Representative Tom Latham following House passage of the defense appropriations bill, but his office released this statement earlier in the day.

U.S. HOUSE READIES TO BLOCK PROPOSED CHANGES TO IOWA’S 132ND FIGHTER WING

APPROPRIATIONS MEASURE SPARES UNIT’S F-16s BUT SENATE INACTION POSES RISK TO PLAN

Washington, Jul 19 – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham announced that the full U.S. House of Representatives will vote to approve an annual appropriations bill that would block the proposed retirement of 21 F-16s attached to the 132nd Fighter Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard.

Latham, Iowa’s only member of the House committee, has worked with colleagues on the committee and with U.S. House leadership for several months to usher through the mission protecting language, which could receive the approval of the full House of Representatives as early as Thursday.

“The 132nd Fighter Wing has served our country time and again with distinction and honor, but a misguided and irresponsible White House-backed proposal would summarily eliminate the fighter wing based on flawed assumptions, not a thorough analysis,” Congress Latham said.  “As we look for savings and efficiencies in the defense budget, we have to make sure the process remains accountable and based on solid facts, solid data and an unwavering commitment to strengthening our national security rather than taking risks with it.”

The language, included in the House’s FY 2013 Defense Appropriations bill, would freeze the proposed retirement of all Air Force aircraft, including the F-16s, for one year, effectively blocking the Obama administration’s plan with a legislative “time out.” Meanwhile, the legislation would require the Air Force to conduct a full cost-benefit analysis of the plan by October, with a review by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office within 120 days of its completion.

Latham did add a note of caution and concern that inaction on budget and appropriations bills by the U.S. Senate poses a very serious risk to the success of the blocking measure.  The Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call reported late last week that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) speculated that the Senate may choose to not pass any appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year.

Congressman Latham said that failure to complete the regular appropriations process jeopardizes the ability of Congress to halt the Obama administration from moving forward on the F-16 retirement plans for the 132nd when the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

“These are the types of problems created when representatives fail to do the basic jobs they were elected to do,” noted Congressman Latham.  “In Iowa alone, the White House-backed proposal reportedly will cut the 1,250 personnel assigned to the unit nearly in half.  That is the loss of hundreds of good-paying jobs in central Iowa, and the economic shock waves that would go deep into the community because of those job losses are unthinkable.  The Senate must do its job and move the yearly appropriations process along so that we can block this reckless cut.”  

Statement from Representative Steve King (emphasis in original):

King DOMA Amendment Passes in House

Washington, DC- Congressman King released the following statement after his Defense of Marriage Act amendment passed on the House floor today. The amendment will require that no money spent on our military will be used to violate the Defense of Marriage Act.

“The military is an entity of the federal government, and federal law states that marriage is between a man and a woman,” said King. “Despite this, the Obama administration has allowed same sex marriages to occur on military bases. These marriages violate the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). My amendment prohibits the use of both military funds and facilities for same-sex marriages.

DOMA was passed by overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate and signed by President Clinton in 1996 and has been the law of the land since that time. But President Obama has ignored it. My amendment is a much needed solution to a problem started by an administration that’s prone to ignoring the law – and the American people are through with the law taking a back seat to the President’s political whims.”